you say she was a thief? That was a silly thing to say."
"It's my extraordinary sense of humour," said Lupin.
The door opened and Charolais bustled in: "Shall I clear away the breakfast?" he said.
Lupin nodded; and then the telephone bell rang. He put his finger on his lips and went to it.
"Are you there?" he said. "Oh, it's you, Germaine. . . . Good morning. . . . Oh, yes, I had a good night—excellent, thank you. . . . You want to speak to me presently? . . . You're waiting for me at the Ritz?"
"Don't go—don't go—it isn't safe," said Victoire, in a whisper.
"All right, I'll be with you in about half an hour, or perhaps three-quarters. I'm not dressed yet . . . but I'm ever so much more impatient than you . . . good-bye for the present." He put the receiver on the stand,
"It's a trap," said Charolais.
"Never mind, what if it is? Is it so very serious?" said Lupin. "There'll be nothing but traps now; and if I can find the time I shall certainly go and take a look at that one."
"And if she knows everything? If she's
