Scarcely able to breathe, Moira obeyed. From the passage-way at a distance, there came the sounds of voices.
"Come, follow me, Dupuy! Mademoiselle had better remain."
And with that, turning his light into the dark hole, he descended, the other following. But the thought of remaining alone in this terrible house frightened her and she clutched at the hand of the second policeman.
"I dare not stay here, Monsieur. I must go with you."
"Bien. But I warn you it may be dangerous."
And yet what could be more dangerous than remaining in the cellar of the apache, Tricot? With shaking limbs she followed down the passage, stumbling and clinging to the shoulder of the gallant policeman. The man who led them disappeared beyond a turn in the passage, but they reached it and as they turned the corner felt the chill of the night air beating in their faces. And in a moment they came out on the shore of the river near a boat landing.
"Tonnerre de Dieu!" shouted the man with the light, and started running toward the steps that led to the Quai above. The other had reached the boat landing and stared for a moment down into the dark mists above the river. Then he ran up the steps after his companion.
Frightened and mystified, Moira followed up the steps where after a moment the two men joined her.
"We have missed them. We were too late——"
"But the captive—the prisoner," pleaded Moira, in an agony of apprehension.