The German smiled at them triumphantly.
“You see, gentlemen! Your suggestion is fantastic! This girl is my fiancée, and she is German to the core!”
Chassaigne’s face was stern.
“Vincent! Remove the lady!”
The young man had to tear her by force from the German, who remained immobile in his chair in a mocking respect for the revolver.
“Fantastic or not,” said Chassaigne, “I demand that you try the experiment. If you refuse—it is because you dare not do it!”
The German shrugged his shoulders.
“Very good, monsieur. I refuse. Think what you will!”
Chassaigne drew his watch from his pocket.
“I give you three minutes to decide,” he said. “Vincent! Put the lady in that armchair and be ready to shoot when I give the word. Two bullets are more sure than one!”