Hanaud obeyed at once; and both men stood and listened in the empty street.
"Not a sound," said Hanaud.
"No! That is what troubles me!" Jim whispered importantly. "A minute ago there were footsteps behind us. Now that we have stopped they have stopped too. Let us go on quite straight for a moment or two."
"But certainly my friend," said Hanaud.
"And let us not talk either," Jim urged.
"Not a single word," said Hanaud.
They moved forward again and behind them once more footsteps rang upon the pavement.
"What did I tell you?" asked Jim, taking Hanaud by the arm.
"That we would neither of us speak," Hanaud replied. "And lo! you have spoken!"
"But why? Why have I spoken? Be serious, Monsieur," Jim shook his arm indignantly. "We are being followed."