"I got the money—gave the blue signal, and expected to be halfway to Brussels by now. What nonsense is this about a red light?"
"It is no nonsense, I assure you. I saw it with my own eyes, as plain as day."
"Then François must have made a mistake, or else he has been placed under arrest—the latter, no doubt. Now the question is, What shall we do? I think we ought to get out of Paris as soon as possible. It isn't safe to stay here." He looked about him nervously.
"Why not? You didn't telephone Monsieur Stapleton this address, did you?"
"No, naturally not."
"Then I don't see but what we are quite safe. No one knows the child is here."
"Then you don't intend to give him up?"
"Not yet. I must first find out whether or not François is in trouble."
"Let him look out for himself."
The older man frowned. "Since when, my friend," he asked, "have I been in the habit of deserting my comrades? François must go free, or Mr. Stapleton does not get his boy. That's flat. The first thing is to send his father something that will let him see that we mean business."