Part 56 (2/2)

Don Luis p.r.i.c.ked up his ears. Those two other sheets had escaped his attention on the day of his interview with Florence in this room.

”Here is one of them,” said Weber.

M. Desmalions took the paper and read:

”Bear in mind that the explosion is independent of the letters, and that it will take place at three o'clock in the morning.”

”Yes,” he said, ”the famous explosion which Don Luis foretold and which is to accompany the fifth letter, as announced on the list of dates.

Tus.h.!.+ We have plenty of time, as there have been only three letters and the fourth is due to-night. Besides, blowing up that house on the Boulevard Suchet would be no easy job, by Jove! Is that all?”

”Monsieur le Prefet,” said Weber, producing the third sheet, ”would you mind looking at these lines drawn in pencil and enclosed in a large square containing some other smaller squares and rectangles of all sizes?

Wouldn't you say that it was the plan of a house?”

”Yes, I should.”

”It is the plan of the house in which we are,” declared Weber solemnly.

”Here you see the front courtyard, the main building, the porter's lodge, and, over there, Mlle. Leva.s.seur's lodge. From this lodge, a dotted line, in red pencil, starts zigzagging toward the main building. The commencement of this line is marked by a little red cross which stands for the room in which we are, or, to be more correct, the alcove. You will see here something like the design of a chimney, or, rather, a cupboard--a cupboard recessed behind the bed and probably hidden by the curtains.”

”But, in that case, Weber,” said M. Desmalions, ”this dotted line must represent a pa.s.sage leading from this lodge to the main building. Look, there is also a little red cross at the other end of the line.”

”Yes, Monsieur le Prefet, there is another cross. We shall discover later for certain what position it marks. But, meanwhile, and acting on a mere guess, I have posted some men in a small room on the second floor where the last secret meeting between Don Luis, Florence Leva.s.seur, and Gaston Sauverand was held yesterday. And, meanwhile, at any rate, we hold one end of the line and, through that very fact, we know Don Luis Perenna's retreat.”

There was a pause, after which the deputy chief resumed in a more and more solemn voice:

”Monsieur le Prefet, yesterday I suffered a cruel outrage at the hands of that man. It was witnessed by our subordinates. The servants must be aware of it. The public will know of it before long. This man has brought about the escape of Florence Leva.s.seur. He tried to bring about the escape of Gaston Sauverand. He is a ruffian of the most dangerous type.

Monsieur le Prefet, I am sure that you will not refuse me leave to dig him out of his hole. Otherwise--otherwise, Monsieur le Prefet, I shall feel obliged to hand in my resignation.”

”With good reasons to back it up!” said the Prefect, laughing. ”There's no doubt about it; you can't stomach the trick of the iron curtain. Well, go ahead! It's Don Luis's own lookout; he's brought it on himself.

Mazeroux, ring me up at the office as soon as the telephone is put right.

And both of you meet me at the Fauvilles' house this evening. Don't forget it's the night for the fourth letter.”

”There won't be any fourth letter, Monsieur le Prefet,” said Weber.

”Why not?”

”Because between this and then Don Luis will be under lock and key.”

”Oh, so you accuse Don Luis also of--”

Don Luis did not wait to hear more. He softly retreated to the cupboard, took hold of the panel and pushed it back without a sound.

So his hiding-place was known!

”By Jingo,” he growled, ”this is a bit awkward! I'm in a nice plight!”

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