Part 47 (1/2)
”Any rats about?” he inquired.
The amba.s.sador was indignant.
”I have never heard one in my life,” he answered. ”This is quite a modern house.”
De Grost dropped his match-box and stooped to pick it up.
”Any lights on anywhere, except in this room?” he asked.
”Certainly not,” Monsieur de Lamborne answered. ”It is past three o'clock, and every one has gone to bed.”
The Baron rose and softly unbolted the door. The pa.s.sage outside was in darkness. He listened intently, for a moment, and returned, yawning.
”One fancies things,” he murmured, apologetically.
”For example?” De Lamborne demanded.
The Baron shook his head.
”One mistakes,” he declared. ”The nerves become over sensitive.”
The dawn broke and the awakening hum of the city grew louder and louder.
De Grost rose and stretched himself.
”Your servants are moving about in the house,” he remarked. ”I think that we might consider our vigil at an end.”
Monsieur de Lamborne rose with alacrity.
”My friend,” he said, ”I feel that I have made false pretenses to you.
With the day I have no fear. A thousand pardons for your sleepless night.”
”My sleepless night counts for nothing,” the Baron a.s.sured him, ”but, before I go, would it not be as well that we glance together inside the safe?”
De Lamborne shook out his keys.
”I was about to suggest it,” he replied.
The amba.s.sador arranged the combination and pressed the lever. Slowly the great door swung back. The two men peered in.
”Untouched!” De Lamborne exclaimed, a little note of triumph in his tone.
De Grost said nothing, but held out his hand.
”Permit me,” he interposed.
De Lamborne was conscious of a faint sense of uneasiness. His companion walked across the room and carefully weighed the packet.
”Well?” De Lamborne cried. ”Why do you do that? What is wrong?”
The Baron turned and faced him.