[Chapter II]
THE TRAPPED FOX
Naundorff and Amélie followed de Brezé toward the stairway and, in so doing, passed the two Carbonari, who, pretending absorption in their ale and salmon, did not raise their eyes.
René led his friends to the chambers he had engaged for them and when the doors were closed, he threw himself upon his knees before the father exclaiming:
"Forgive me!"
"What is it, René?"
"I have been robbed of your papers."
Naundorff turned pale and fell against the wall. But quickly recovering himself, he said:
"René, you have lost my name, but you first saved my life," and with simple dignity he drew the Marquis to his breast while Amélie trembled and dropped tears from her beautiful eyes.
"And the manuscript?"