"

"That's my offer," said Guerchard; and his eyes brightened at the
prospect of success.

"Her complete liberty? ... on your word of honour?" said Lupin; and he
had something of the air of a cat playing with a mouse.

"On my word of honour," said Guerchard.

"Can you do it?" said Lupin, with a sudden air of doubt; and he looked
sharply from Guerchard to the clock.

"I undertake to do it," said Guerchard confidently.

"But how?" said Lupin, looking at him with an expression of the gravest
doubt.

"Oh, I'll put the thefts on your shoulders. That will let her out all
right," said Guerchard.

"I've certainly good broad shoulders," said Lupin, with a bitter smile.
He walked slowly up and down with an air that grew more and more
depressed: it was almost the air of a beaten man. Then he stopped and
faced Guerchard, and said: "And what is it you want in exchange?"

"Everything," said Guerchard, with the air of a man who is winning.
"You must give me back the pictures, tapestry, Renaissance cabinets,
the coronet, and all the information about the death of the Duke of
Charmerace. Did you kill him?"

"If ever I commit suicide, you'll know all about it, my good Guerchard.
You'll be there. You may even join me," said Lupin grimly; he resumed
his pacing up and down the room.

"Done for, yes; I shall be done for," he said presently. "The fact is,
you want my skin."

"Yes, I want your skin," said Guerchard, in a low, savage, vindictive
tone.

"My skin," said Lupin thoughtfully.

"Are you going to do it? Think of that girl," said Guerchard, in a
fresh access of uneasy anxiety.

Lupin laughed: "I can give you a glass of port," he said, "but I'm
afraid that's all I can do for you."

"I'll throw Victoire in," said Guerchard.

"What?" cried Lupin. "You've arrested Victoire?" There was a ring of
utter dismay, almost despair, in his tone.

"Yes; and I'll throw her in. She shall go scot-free. I won't bother
with her," said Guerchard eagerly.

The front-door bell rang.

"Wait, wait. Let me think," said Lupin hoarsely; and he strove to
adjust his jostling ideas, to meet with a fresh plan this fresh
disaster.

He stood listening with all his ears. There were footsteps on the
stairs, and the door opened. Dieusy stood on the threshold.

"Who is it?" said Guerchard.

"I accept--I accept everything," cried Lupin in a frantic tone.

"It's a tradesman; am I to detain him?" said Dieusy. "You told me to
let you know who