“Yes,” said Guerchard; and his eyes were shining. “On your word of honour?” said Lupin. “On my word of honour,” said Guerchard. “Very well,” said Lupin, in a quiet, businesslike voice. “To begin with, here in this pocket-book you’ll find all the documents relating to the death of the Duke of Charmerace. In it you will also find the receipt of the Plantin furniture repository at Batignolles for the objects of art which I collected at Gournay-Martin’s. I sent them to Batignolles because, in my letters asking the owners of valuables to forward them to me, I always make Batignolles the place to which they are to be sent; therefore I knew that you would never look there. They are all in cases; for, while you were making those valuable inquiries yesterday, my men were putting them into cases. You’ll not find the receipt in the name of either the Duke of Charmerace or my own. It is in the name of a respected proprietor of Batignolles, a M. Pierre Servien. But he has lately left that charming suburb, and I do not think he will return to it.” Guerchard almost snatched the pocket-book out of his hand. He verified the documents in it with greedy eyes; and then he put them back in it, and stuffed it into the breast-pocket of his coat. “And where’s the coronet?” he said, in an excited voice. “You’re nearly standing on it,” said Lupin. “It’s in that kit-bag at your feet, on the top of the change of clothes in it.” Guerchard snatched up the kit-bag, opened it, and took out the coronet. “I’m afraid I haven’t the case,” said Lupin, in a tone of regret. “If you remember, I left it at Gournay-Martin’s—in your charge.” Guerchard examined the coronet carefully. He looked at the stones in it; he weighed it in his right hand, and he weighed it in his left. “Are you sure it’s the real one?” said Lupin, in a tone of acute but affected anxiety. “Do not—oh, do not let us have any more of these painful mistakes about it. They are so wearing.” “Yes—yes—this is the real one,” said Guerchard, with another deep sigh of relief. “Well, have you done bleeding me?” said Lupin contemptuously. “Your arms,” said Guerchard quickly. “They weren’t in the bond,” said Lupin. “But here you are.” And he threw his revolver on the table. Guerchard picked it up and put it into his pocket. He looked at Lupin as if he could not believe his eyes, gloating over him. Then he said in a deep, triumphant tone: “And now for the handcuffs!” CHAPTER XXIII THE END OF THE DUEL “The handcuffs?” said Lupin; and his face fell. Then it cleared; and he added lightly, “After all, there’s nothing like being careful; and, by Jove, with me you need to be. I might get away yet. What luck it is for you that I’m so soft, so little of a Charmerace, so human! Truly, I can’t be much of a man of the world, to be in love like this!” “Come, come, hold out your hands!” said Guerchard, jingling the handcuffs impatiently. “I should like to see that child for the last time,” said Lupin gently.