As fast as their legs could carry them they made for the corner of the wall wherein was the Baron's secret exit, and, scaling the wall with quick agility, were soon on the other side--and clear away. As they ran back in the direction of the Bois de Boulogne they could hear shouts and cries of the Baron and his servants. Twice were revolvers emptied to attract the police, and then the hubbub grew fainter, and at last, beneath the deep shadow of a wall, they halted to regain breath. "Never mind, Adolphe!" laughed Ralph; "we've got a nice haul, and it was an easy job, after all. I never expected the spy to have an alarm attached to the door of his safe. He's a wary bird, after all!" "Let's get back to your place at once," urged "The Eel." "It will be growing light soon, and we ought to be in before anyone gets about." "You're right. Jean will be wondering where we are--poor, innocent little thing," he laughed, jeeringly. "I suppose she's been fretting--but fretting always does a woman good." "Don't speak like that, old chap," said the other. "I don't like to hear it." "Ah! You always take her part. You're too chicken-hearted where women are concerned. A woman will be your ruin one day, mark me," was Ralph's reply. "But come along." And they hurried forward, in the direction of Ansell's house. Half an hour later, just before the first flush of dawn, the two men entered the weedy courtyard, and Ansell let himself in with his key. Their movements were stealthy; but, nevertheless, Mother Brouet, in suspicion of the truth, for she had known _Fil-en-Quatre_ for several years, put her head out of her door, asking: "Halloa, my boys! Something on--eh?" "Yes, mother," laughed Ralph lightly. "Something quite good. Keep your eyes open, and if anybody calls, we're not receiving visitors--you understand! And there's a couple of louis for you," he added with a grin. The old woman grasped the coins with her claw-like hand, saying: "_Tres bien, m'sieur_," and the head, adorned by curlers, disappeared. The two men then mounted the stairs on tip-toe, and Ansell noiselessly unlocked the door of his apartment, believing Jean to be asleep. But they found the lamp still burning as they had left it, the dirty plates still upon the table, and the atmosphere filled by the nauseous perfumes of petroleum. Ralph's quick eye caught the letter lying upon the table. "Halloa! What's this?" he cried, taking it up, glancing at the superscription, and tearing open the envelope. He read through the brief, farewell message; then, crushing the paper in his hand fiercely, he stood for a few seconds without uttering a word. "She's gone!" he exclaimed at last; "and a good job, too. I'm freer without her; but, by Heaven! I'll make her pay for deserting me like this! That I will!" "Madame gone?" cried Carlier, starting in blank surprise. "Yes." "Well, and I don't wonder, after what you said to her last night. It was shameful."