as that. He must have left four men there--and four men
are sufficient--" He stopped. "Listen--they're shouting up above.
That's it, they've opened the window and are calling to their
fleet.--Why, look, the men are busy on board the smacks--they're
exchanging signals.--The torpedo-boat is moving.--Dear old
torpedo-boat! I know you, you're from the Havre.--Guns' crews to the
guns!--Hullo, there's the commander!--How are you, Duguay-Trouin?"

He put his arm through a cleft and waved his handkerchief. Then he
continued his way downstairs:

"The enemy's fleet have set all sail," he said. "We shall be boarded
before we know where we are. Heavens, what fun!"

They heard the sound of voices below them. They were just then
approaching the level of the sea and they emerged, almost at once, into
a large cave into which two lanterns were moving about in the dark.

A woman's figure appeared and threw itself on Lupin's neck:

"Quick, quick, I was so nervous about you. What have you been
doing?--But you're not alone!--"

Lupin reassured her:

"It's our friend Beautrelet.--Just think, Beautrelet had the tact--but
I'll talk about that later--there's no time now.--Charolais are you
there? That's right!--And the boat?"

"The boat's ready, sir," Charolais replied,

"Fire away," said Lupin.

In a moment, the noise of a motor crackled and Beautrelet, whose eyes
were gradually becoming used to the gloom, ended by perceiving that
they were on a sort of quay, at the edge of the water, and that a boat
was floating before them.

"A motor boat," said Lupin, completing Beautrelet's observations. "This
knocks you all of a heap, eh, Isidore, old chap?--You don't
understand.--Still, you have only to think.--As the water before your
eyes is no other than the water of the sea, which filters into this
excavation each high tide, the result is that I have a safe little
private roadstead all to myself."

"But it's closed," Beautrelet protested. "No one can get in or out."

"Yes, I can," said Lupin; "and I'm going to prove it to you."

He began by handing Raymonde in. Then he came back to fetch Beautrelet.
The lad hesitated.

"Are you afraid?" asked Lupin.

"What of?"

"Of being sunk by the torpedo-boat."

"No."

"Then you're considering whether it's not your duty to stay with
Ganimard, law and order, society and morality, instead of going off
with Lupin, shame, infamy and disgrace."

"Exactly."

"Unfortunately, my boy, you have