"But I can't understand how Herr Liederman----"
Zoya Rochal cut him short.
"I heard the sounds of shots and called Herr Liederman," she explained glibly. "We went to the vault which showed signs of having been tampered with. And so with a crow-bar which Monsieur Khodkine had left, we broke into it. Is this not so, Monsieur Rowland?" she challenged him.
Their glances met in comprehension. Rowland turned aside.
"That is true," he said coolly. "Monsieur Khodkine was robbing the vault. I interfered. We fought but he outwitted me and got away----"
"But I don't understand----" persisted Barthou.
"Monsieur," cut in Rowland quickly, "there is no time for explanations. The bank-notes of Nemi are in a machine bound for the interior of Germany. Some of us must follow at once. A machine----
"Mine is in the village," said Zoya.
"Passports----"
"Mine----" cried Liederman.