Lupin gazed at her in silence. The count said: "One would think that she knew what she was doing." "No, she does not know. Only, her grandfather must have entrusted her with that book as a sort of treasure, a treasure which no one was ever to set eyes on, and, with her stupid instinct, she preferred to throw it into the fire rather than part with it." "Well then. . . ." "Well then what?" "You won't find the hiding-place." "Aha, my dear count, so you did, for a moment, look upon my success as possible? And Lupin does not strike you as quite a charlatan? Make your mind easy, Waldemar: Lupin has more than one string to his bow. I shall succeed." "Before twelve o'clock to-morrow?" "Before twelve o'clock to-night. But, for the moment, I am starving with hunger. And, if your kindness would go so far. . . ." He was taken to the sergeants' mess and a substantial meal prepared for him, while the count went to make his report to the Emperor. * * * * * Twenty minutes later, Waldemar returned and they sat down and dined together, opposite each other, silent and pensive. "Waldemar, a good cigar would be a treat. . . . I thank you. . . . Ah, this one crackles as a self-respecting Havana should!" He lit his cigar and, after a minute or two: "You can smoke, count; I don't mind in the least; in fact, I rather like it." An hour passed. Waldemar dozed and, from time to time, swallowed a glass of brandy to wake himself up. Soldiers passed in and out, waiting on them. "Coffee," asked Lupin. They brought him some coffee. "What bad stuff!" he grumbled. "If that's what Cæsar drinks! . . . Give me another cup all the same, Waldemar. We may have a long night before us. Oh, what vile coffee!" He lit a second cigar and did not say another word. Ten minutes passed. He continued not to move or speak. Suddenly, Waldemar sprang to his feet and said to Lupin, angrily: "Hi! Stand up, there!" Lupin was whistling a tune at the moment. He kept on whistling, peacefully. "Stand up, I say!" Lupin turned round. His Imperial Majesty had just entered. Lupin rose from his chair. "How far are we?" asked the Emperor. "I think, Sire, that I shall be able to satisfy Your Imperial Majesty soon." "What? Do you know . . ." "The hiding-place? Very nearly, Sire. . . . A few details still escape me . . . but everything will be cleared up, once we are on the spot: I have no doubt of it." "Are we to stay here?" "No, Sire, I will beg you to go with me to the Renascence palace. But we have plenty of time; and, if Your Imperial Majesty will permit me, I should like first to think over two or three points." Without waiting for the reply, he sat down, to Waldemar's great indignation. In a few minutes, the Emperor, who had walked away and was talking to the count, came up to him: "Are you ready now, M. Lupin?" Lupin kept silence. A fresh question. His head fell on his chest. "But he's asleep; I really believe that he's asleep!"