Marie Pascal calculated that the candles would burn for not more than an hour--an hour and a half at most. The unfortunate girl now began to undergo the agony of waiting for her approaching end. It seemed to her that the candles had been piously lighted for some death watch. When the wax had melted near the first nails, she closed her eyes and a deep sigh of horror escaped from her lips. "Pity! Pity!" Suddenly, Jerome Fandor burst into the chamber, anxious to tell his friend Juve about the objects he had found in Marie Pascal's room. Scarcely had he opened the door than he started back in amazement, white as a sheet. Ah! the horrible spectacle of the young girl lying motionless, as though dead, she, who in spite of everything, he still found charming. Then realizing the situation, he sprang forward, put out the candles and removed the revolver. "Saved! You are saved!" With infinite precautions he untied the ropes and placed Marie's head upon some cushions. She opened her eyes slowly and murmured: "Where am I? Help! Fantomas!" Fandor endeavored to reassure her. "Don't be frightened! Fantomas isn't here; you are saved.... It is I ... Jerome Fandor." * * * * * Marie Pascal was seated in an armchair, still very pale, but with courage regained. "Now, Mademoiselle," exclaimed the journalist, "I beg you to tell me everything.... I promise I won't give you up ... time is precious and if your accomplice had tried to get rid of you, it is only natural; you are dangerous for him.... Marie Pascal, I implore you to tell me the truth! Tell me, who is Fantomas?" The young girl listened to these words with growing amazement. "The accomplice of Fantomas, I!... What are you saying, Monsieur?... Sire!" Jerome Fandor interrupted. "Now don't deny it! Look here, I'll tell you the truth. I am not the King." "You are not...." "No, but I haven't time to explain that now... you must help me to capture this criminal ... and I give you my word you will not be involved yourself." "But I am not the accomplice of Fantomas!" "Then why did you steal those jewels? Why have you the key of Susy d'Orsel's apartment in your possession?" Marie's face expressed such bewilderment as Fandor asked the question that he could no longer doubt her innocence. "Then, for the love of heaven, tell me all you know!" Marie Pascal told a lengthy story. She recounted in detail the role she had played in the tragic affair of the Rue Monceau and ended by exclaiming: "What you don't know is that Mme. Ceiron is in reality Fantomas. Under this disguise he has tried to assassinate me; he assured you that I had gone to the country, so that rescue would have been impossible." "Ah, Fantomas!" cried Fandor at the end of the recital, "your hour has come! In an hour at most you will begin the expiation of your crimes!" As the young girl looked doubtfully at him, he added: "It's time, Marie Pascal! Come with me and see him arrested!" CHAPTER XXXII