His anger was increasing, visibly and frightfully. Beautrelet chuckled, jeering in his turn, carried away by his success. “Stop that, you brat!” roared Lupin. “You’re forgetting who I am—and that, if I wished—upon my word, he’s daring to laugh!” A great silence fell between them. Then Lupin stepped forward and, in muttered tones, with his eyes on Beautrelet’s: “You shall go straight to the _Grand Journal_.” “No.” “Tear up your article.” “No.” “See the editor.” “No.” “Tell him you made a mistake.” “No.” “And write him another article, in which you will give the official version of the Ambrumésy mystery, the one which every one has accepted.” “No.” Lupin took up a steel ruler that lay on my desk and broke it in two without an effort. His pallor was terrible to see. He wiped away the beads of perspiration that stood on his forehead. He, who had never known his wishes resisted, was being maddened by the obstinacy of this child. He pressed his two hands on Beautrelet’s shoulder and, emphasizing every syllable, continued: “You shall do as I tell you, Beautrelet. You shall say that your latest discoveries have convinced you of my death, that there is not the least doubt about it. You shall say so because I wish it, because it has to be believed that I am dead. You shall say so, above all, because, if you do not say so—” “Because, if I do not say so—?” “Your father will be kidnapped to-night, as Ganimard and Holmlock Shears were.” Beautrelet gave a smile. “Don’t laugh—answer!” “My answer is that I am very sorry to disappoint you, but I have promised to speak and I shall speak.” “Speak in the sense which I have told you.” “I shall speak the truth,” cried Beautrelet, eagerly. “It is something which you can’t understand, the pleasure, the need, rather, of saying the thing that is and saying it aloud. The truth is here, in this brain which has guessed it and discovered it; and it will come out, all naked and quivering. The article, therefore, will be printed as I wrote it. The world shall know that Lupin is alive and shall know the reason why he wished to be considered dead. The world shall know all.” And he added, calmly, “And my father shall not be kidnapped.” Once again, they were both silent, with their eyes still fixed upon each other. They watched each other. Their swords were engaged up to the hilt. And it was like the heavy silence that goes before the mortal blow. Which of the two was to strike it? Lupin said, between his teeth: “Failing my instructions to the contrary, two of my friends have orders to enter your father’s room to-night, at three o’clock in the morning, to seize him and carry him off to join Ganimard and Holmlock Shears.” A burst of shrill laughter interrupted him: