At this moment an awe-struck attendant came forward to say that the baron wished a word with M. Paul.
"By all means," consented the judge.
Haltingly, on his cane, Coquenil made his way to an adjoining room where De Heidelmann-Bruck was waiting under guard.
As he glanced at the baron, M. Paul saw that once more the man had demonstrated his extraordinary self-control, he was cold and composed as usual.
"We take our medicine, eh?" said the detective admiringly.
"Yes," answered the prisoner, "we take our medicine."
"But there's a difference," reflected Coquenil. "The other day you said you were sorry when you left me in that hot cellar. Now you're in a fairly hot place yourself, baron, and—I'm not sorry."
De Heidelmann-Bruck shrugged his shoulders.
"Any objection to my smoking a cigar?" he asked coolly and reached toward his coat pocket.
With a quick gesture Coquenil stopped the movement.