CHAPTER XXII
THE BARGAIN
CHAROLAIS conducted the detective down the stairs and let him out of the front door, cursing and threatening vengeance as he went. Charolais took no notice of his words—he was the well-trained servant. He came back upstairs, and on the landing called to Victoire and Bernard. They came hurrying down; and the three of them went into the smoking-room.
"Now we know where we are," said Lupin, with cheerful briskness. "Guerchard will be here in ten minutes with a warrant for my arrest. All of you clear out."
"It won't be so precious easy. The house is watched," said Charolais. "And I'll bet it's watched back and front."
"Well, slip out by the secret entrance. They haven't found that yet," said Lupin. "And meet me at the house at Passy."
Charolais and Bernard wanted no more telling; they ran to the book- case and pressed the buttons; the book-case slid aside; the doors opened and disclosed the lift. They stepped into
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