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Updated: June 6, 2025
"It's quite military," said the Duke, putting the card into his waistcoat pocket. There came a knock at the door, and a tall, thin, bearded man came into the room. "Ah, Dieusy! At last! What news?" cried Guerchard. Dieusy saluted: "I've learnt that a motor-van was waiting outside the next house in the side street," he said. "At what time?" said Guerchard.
"This is merely an imitation." said the Duke, with a gentle laugh. "Hell and damnation!" howled Guerchard. "Bonavent! Dieusy!" The door flew open, and half a dozen detectives rushed in. Guerchard sank into a chair, stupefied, paralyzed; this blow, on the top of the strain of the struggle with the Duke, had broken him. "Gentlemen," said the Duke sadly, "the coronet has been stolen."
"Well, then," said Guerchard. "Perhaps you're right," said the Duke. Guerchard turned to Dieusy and said, in a quieter voice, "And when the scavenger had picked up the cigarette, did he follow the motorist?" "Yes, he followed him for about a hundred yards. He went down into Sureau Street, and turned westwards. Then a motor-car came along; he got into it, and went off."
Here you are!" said Lupin bitterly; and he held out his wrists. Guerchard snapped the handcuffs on them with a grunt of satisfaction. Lupin gazed down at them with a bitter face, and said: "Oh, you are in luck! You're not married by any chance?" "Yes, yes; I am," said Guerchard hastily; and he went quickly to the door and opened it: "Dieusy!" he called. "Dieusy!
He opened the front door, and they came out on the steps. The policeman in charge of the car saluted. Lupin paused and said softly: "Hark! I hear the sound of wedding bells." They went down the steps. Even as they were getting into the car some chance blow of Guerchard or Dieusy struck a hidden spring and released the lift. It sank to the level of Lupin's smoking-room and stopped.
"Come, come, we've had enough of this!" cried Guerchard, in mingled astonishment, anger, and alarm. "Bonavent! Boursin! Dieusy! Here! Help! Help!" he shouted. "Now listen, Guerchard, and understand that I'm not humbugging," said Lupin quickly, in clear, compelling tones.
He was fully three minutes fumbling with the bolts, which were already drawn. At last he opened the door an inch or two, and looked out. On the instant the door was dashed open, flinging him back against the wall; and Bonavent and Dieusy rushed past him, up the stairs, as hard as they could pelt. A brown-faced, nervous, active policeman followed them in and stopped to guard the door.
Others go to the secret entrance! Others to the servants' entrance! Get into the street! Be smart! Dieusy, take the lift with me!" The others ran out of the room and down the stairs, but with no great heartiness, since their minds were still quite full of the bomb, and Lupin still had it with him.
"Let him have his way, master!" cried Dieusy. "Yes, yes!" cried Bonavent. "Let him have his way!" cried another. "Give him his pocket-book!" cried a third. "Never!" howled Guerchard. "It's in his pocket his breast-pocket! Be smart!" roared Lupin. "Come, come, it's got to be given to him," cried Bonavent. "Hold the master tight!"
Lupin gripped the edge of the table with both hands, and stood panting, grinding his teeth, pale with fury. He stood silent and motionless for perhaps half a minute, gazing at Guerchard with burning, murderous eyes. Then he nodded his head. "Let Mademoiselle Kritchnoff wait," said Guerchard, with a sigh of deep relief. Dieusy went out of the room.
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