He lighted a cigar, stretched himself and yawned: “She had ever so much more reason for stealing than ever I had,” he said. “And she has always hated it like poison.” “Well, that’s something,” said Victoire; and her blank and fallen face brightened a little. Lupin walked up and down the room, breathing out long luxurious puffs of smoke from his excellent cigar, and watching Victoire with a humorous eye. He walked across to his book-shelf, and scanned the titles of his books with an appreciative, almost affectionate smile. “This is a very pleasant interlude,” he said languidly. “But I don’t suppose it’s going to last very long. As soon as Guerchard recovers from the shock of learning that I spent a quiet night in my ducal bed as an honest duke should, he’ll be getting to work with positively furious energy, confound him! I could do with a whole day’s sleep—twenty-four solid hours of it.” “I’m sure you could, dearie,” said Victoire sympathetically. “The girl I’m going to marry is Sonia Kritchnoff,” he said. “Sonia? That dear child! But I love her already!” cried Victoire. “Sonia, but why did you say she was a thief? That was a silly thing to say.” “It’s my extraordinary sense of humour,” said Lupin. The door opened and Charolais bustled in: “Shall I clear away the breakfast?” he said. Lupin nodded; and then the telephone bell rang. He put his finger on his lips and went to it. “Are you there?” he said. “Oh, it’s you, Germaine.... Good morning.... Oh, yes, I had a good night—excellent, thank you.... You want to speak to me presently? ... You’re waiting for me at the Ritz?” “Don’t go—don’t go—it isn’t safe,” said Victoire, in a whisper. “All right, I’ll be with you in about half an hour, or perhaps three-quarters. I’m not dressed yet ... but I’m ever so much more impatient than you ... good-bye for the present.” He put the receiver on the stand. “It’s a trap,” said Charolais. “Never mind, what if it is? Is it so very serious?” said Lupin. “There’ll be nothing but traps now; and if I can find the time I shall certainly go and take a look at that one.” “And if she knows everything? If she’s taking her revenge ... if she’s getting you there to have you arrested?” said Victoire. “Yes, M. Formery is probably at the Ritz with Gournay-Martin. They’re probably all of them there, weighing the coronet,” said Lupin, with a chuckle. He hesitated a moment, reflecting; then he said, “How silly you are! If they wanted to arrest me, if they had the material proof which they haven’t got, Guerchard would be here already!” “Then why did they chase you last night?” said Charolais.