"My name is Arthur de Montferrand," said the nobleman, handing his card to the young man, whose profession he knew, with the same politeness as if he were a peer of France.
Fanfaro bowed and then hurriedly said:
"Let us not lose any more time; I—"
Loud knocking at the house-door and the murmur of several voices, which came from below, made the young man pause. The planting of muskets on the pavement was now heard and a coarse voice cried:
"Open in the name of the law!"
Fanfaro trembled.
"The police!" exclaimed Aube, breathing more freely; "perhaps the robbers have already been captured."
Fanfaro laid his hand upon Aube's shoulder.
"Monsieur Aube," he said bitterly, "the police to-day do not bother about such trivial affairs. The minions of Louis XVIII. hunt different game."