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Georges, he called tothe proprietor, some ink! I would like to breathe the
fresh air,to feel it on my face, my neck.
What should I do whenthose great ones
order me .
He reeled back against the wall, gasping for breath. That they were
staring at him and overlookinghim?
Ricardo and I, he said, making his
announcement asdramatic as possible. But there was a Judas at thelevel of the
eyes to ventilate the cellar within. Suddenly he sprang to his feet, and all
his agitation was revealed inthat spasmodic movement. By the sideof that tower
the car stopped. Hanaud leaned out of the window and the sergeantcame straight
to him.
He had his cue, and like agood actor, he took it up at once.
There is
no need for that wire rope any longer.
They are the property of the State, he
cried. Alas, my good Hanaud, you disappoint me, he grumbled ruefully.
The
adventures of the night werenearing their climax.
Hanaud tore open theenvelope
and read, whilst Mr. He crossed by the night boat and caught the SudExpress
from Paris. The stillness of deathlay brooding throughout the house. The widow
Chicholle blinked at him, seeking for the meaning of his words. Bryce Carters
voice,passionate and low, followed swift upon it. I have done her no harm,
msieu, she whined, and, You can see. Take them off my hands, she implored, and
she shook her arms so thatthe links of the chain rattled. Ricardowas at pains
not to interrupt his reflections.
It will be interesting to see how she takes
it.
Only the better class of cars are madeto open.
We go to bring back your
clothes to you, mademoiselle, he said. Then you lose yourself in themanageresss
nightgown and get into bed. I know, my little friend, he replied gently.
Bryce
Carters voice,passionate and low, followed swift upon it.
Ricardo and I, he
said, making his announcement asdramatic as possible. Tidon, the magistrate,
was a little taken aback. Ricardo had to be content with an explanation which
to him at allevents was no explanation at all. Ricardo studied the changing
expressions ofhis face.
He bent his head, then turned it and shookit at his
companions. No, my friend, but it is an English quotation, when it is right. No
one contradicted him, but no one agreed. But only two of them crossed
thethreshold of the library. Certainly the remark had an effect, but not the
effect which he expected.
I was wrong about that young man, Hanaud declared
gloomily.
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