It was Duncombe, muddy from head to foot, pale and with a slight wound
upon the temple, from which the blood had trickled down his face. He saw
the open safe, and Monsieur Louis a pitiful figure, and he did not
hesitate. He scarcely glanced at the others. He strode forward and
seized the Baron by the collar.
"Give me back what you have stolen, you blackguard!" he exclaimed.
Monsieur Louis was breathless. It was the young Vicomte who interposed.
"Our friend," he remarked suavely, "has not been successful in his
little effort. The document he came to purloin is in my pocket, and
here, Sir George, is my warrant for retaining possession of it."
He held out a note which Duncombe took and read with a little sigh of
relief.
"Good!" he exclaimed. "You have the document?"
De Bergillac tapped his breast-pocket.
"It is here," he said.
Duncombe turned to Monsieur Louis.
"My arrest, then," he remarked, "was part of the game?"
"Exactly!" De Bergillac answered. "This little document entrusted to
your care by the young English lady was worth one million francs to the
man who suborned our friend here. It was worth while--this little
enterprise.
Pages:
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317