"Open," came louder than before, "or we shall burst in the door."
"My God! my God! what a day this is," complained Aube, sinking helplessly on a chair; "what do the police want in my house?"
"Monsieur Aube, they seek conspirators, heroes of freedom and justice," said Fanfaro earnestly.
"How so? What do you mean?" asked Aube, opening wide his eyes and looking at the young man.
"I am one of the men the police are looking for," exclaimed Fanfaro coolly.
"You!" exclaimed Montferrand in terror, "then you are lost."
"Not yet," laughed Fanfaro. "Monsieur Aube, hurry and open the door and try to detain the people. That is all that is necessary. Good-by for the present, and do not forget to hunt for the girl; with the aid of God we will find her."
He ran out, and the nobleman and the landlord heard him bound up the stairs. Aube now began to push back the iron bolt of the street door, and when it opened several policemen and an inspector entered.
"I must say, Monsieur Aube," cried the inspector angrily, "you took a long time to obey his majesty's order."
"But at this time of night," stammered Aube. "What are you looking for, inspector?"