"I came straight away to warn you," adds Belin.
"Very good of you, old fellow, to think of us. But what can we do in the matter?"
"Nothing at all."
"Shall we tell the others?"
"No, indeed! I mentioned the matter to you because you are old friends. But you must not utter a word to the rest; it would only make them uneasy."
This reflection on the part of the sly old fellow makes us quite proud. A grasp of the hand in the dark, a muttered word of thanks, and Belin glides away as noiselessly as he came.
"Maxence, Verrier!" we call out softly.
"What is it?"
"Come here!"