s up and down, in and out, and round about!...
* * * * *
It was getting on towards one o'clock when Fandor saw Juve off as far as
the staircase. The detective had resumed his disguise, but neither man
was in a joking mood now. Fandor had given Juve an account of the
annoying, yet rather absurd incident at the convent, when he and
Elizabeth were unsuspectingly bidding each other a passionate farewell
under the watchful and scandalised eye of a nun! Fandor had thought it
better to take Juve into his confidence on the point, though it went
against the grain, for he was bashful with regard to his feelings.
Juve had openly laughed at first, but when he understood that Elizabeth,
requested to leave the convent, would again be without a safe shelter,
he became serious, reflected for a minute or two, then gave his dear lad
a piece of advice, advice which Fandor had seemingly taken objection to,
and had finished by agreeing to....
They parted with these words:
"The more you think it over, dear lad, the better you will like my
idea," said Juve.
Fandor had not said "No" to it!
XVII
AN ARREST
The day after his memorable talk with Juve, Fandor was summoned to
appear before the police magistrate, because he could give evidence
regarding the rue Raffet affair, and had saved Elizabeth Dollon's life.
It was about four in the afternoon, and he had just entered the passage
leading to the offices so familiar to him, when he met Elizabeth. Behind
her came several persons whom he recognised: among them were the
Barbey-Nanteuil partners, Madame Bourrat, and the servant, Jules. They
were together and were talking. The moment she saw him, Elizabeth went
up to him.
"Ah, monsieur!" she cried, with a reproachful look. "We had given up all
hope of seeing you.... Just imagine, the magistrate has finished his
enquiry already! Twice he asked if you had come!"
Fandor seemed surprised.
"The summons was for four this afternoon, was it not?" he asked, taking
from his pocket the summoning letter. A glance showed that he was not
mistaken: he gave Elizabeth the letter to read. She smiled.
"You were summoned for four o'clock, I see; but we had to appear
earlier: I was examined as soon as I arrived, and I was summoned to
appear at half-past two."
Fandor was annoyed with himself: he might have guessed it! He was vexed
because he had not been on the watch in the passage whilst this
examina
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