“But he’s going to take you away! We’re going to be separated!” cried Sonia, in a sudden anguish of realization. “It’s all the same to me now!” cried Lupin, in the voice of a conqueror. “Yes, but not to me!” cried Sonia, wringing her hands. “Now you must keep calm and go. I’m not going to prison,” said Lupin, in a low voice. “Wait in the hall, if you can. Stop and talk to Victoire; condole with her. If they turn you out of the house, wait close to the front door.” “Come, mademoiselle,” said Guerchard. “You must go.” “Go, Sonia, go—good-bye—good-bye,” said Lupin; and he kissed her. She went quietly out of the room, her handkerchief to her eyes. Guerchard held open the door for her, and kept it open, with his hand still on the handle; he said to Lupin: “Come along.” Lupin yawned, stretched himself, and said coolly, “My dear Guerchard, what I want after the last two nights is rest—rest.” He walked quickly across the room and stretched himself comfortably at full length on the couch. “Come, get up,” said Guerchard roughly. “The prison-van is waiting for you. That ought to fetch you out of your dream.” “Really, you do say the most unlucky things,” said Lupin gaily. He had resumed his flippant, light-hearted air; his voice rang as lightly and pleasantly as if he had not a care in the world. “Do you mean that you refuse to come?” cried Guerchard in a rough, threatening tone. “Oh, no,” said Lupin quickly: and he rose. “Then come along!” said Guerchard. “No,” said Lupin, “after all, it’s too early.” Once more he stretched himself out on the couch, and added languidly, “I’m lunching at the English Embassy.” “Now, you be careful!” cried Guerchard angrily. “Our parts are changed. If you’re snatching at a last straw, it’s waste of time. All your tricks—I know them. Understand, you rogue, I know them.” “You know them?” said Lupin with a smile, rising. “It’s fatality!” He stood before Guerchard, twisting his hands and wrists curiously. Half a dozen swift movements; and he held out his handcuffs in one hand and threw them on the floor. “Did you know that trick, Guerchard? One of these days I shall teach you to invite me to lunch,” he said slowly, in a mocking tone; and he gazed at the detective with menacing, dangerous eyes. “Come, come, we’ve had enough of this!” cried Guerchard, in mingled astonishment, anger, and alarm. “Bonavent! Boursin! Dieusy! Here! Help! Help!” he shouted. “Now listen, Guerchard, and understand that I’m not humbugging,” said Lupin quickly, in clear, compelling tones. “If Sonia, just now, had had one word, one gesture of contempt for me, I’d have given way—yielded ... half-yielded, at any rate; for, rather than fall into your triumphant clutches, I’d have blown my brains out. I’ve now to choose between happiness, life with Sonia, or prison. Well, I’ve chosen. I will live happy with her, or else, my dear Guerchard, I’ll die with you. Now let your men come—I’m ready for them.”