"Perhaps it was the man who ran after me."
"What for?"
"To tell me that you wished the key."
"What key, stupid! will you not tell me?"
"The key of your apartment."
"You gave the key of the apartment to a stranger?" cried Maurice, seizing the official by the collar with both hands.
"It was not to a stranger, sir; it was to one of your friends."
"Ah, yes! to one of my friends. It is Lorin, no doubt. She has gone out with Lorin," and smiling a ghastly smile Maurice wiped away the drops of agony which had gathered on his brow.
"No, sir; no, it was not he. Zounds! I think I should know Monsieur Lorin."
"Who was it, then?"