"No, no!" she said with a shudder.
"Very good. Just another word of sensible advice, madame. Keep in your shop, and preserve silence until I bring this affair to a satisfactory conclusion. If you stir you will be followed; if you write a letter of warning it will fall into the hands of the police. You understand?"
"Yes, I understand.''
"It only remains to me to thank you for this very pleasant interview." So I left her, saying to myself as I rejoined Wheeler. "Checkmate to Madame Lourbet."
"Well?" said Wheeler.
"Success, my boy, success!" I replied. "The game is in our hands, but not a moment must be lost. I am going in for desperate measures. Will you back me up?"
"In anything."
"Do you carry a pistol?" I asked, grasping his hand.
"Colt's double action revolver, six chambers," he answered, tapping the back of his waistband. "Took it to Liverpool with me."
"Good. I have mine on me. I want two more men. Jack for one. Can you recommend another?"