"Feel if my hand trembles," he said, turning to the painter; "only if that is not the case can I dare to probe for the bullet."
Gontram took hold of the white hand. It did not tremble, and Spero began to probe for the bullet.
"The ball has not touched a vital part," whispered the vicomte at length; "it lies in the muscles. I touched it with the instrument."
"Do you think you can remove the bullet?" asked the painter.
"I hope so."
The vicomte motioned to Gontram to hand him the box again, and taking a bistoury and a pincette he bent over the unconscious girl again.
An anxious moment passed and then Spero triumphantly exclaimed:
"Saved!"
"Saved," repeated Gontram as he took the murderous lead from the vicomte's hand.
"Then we can call the housekeeper," said Spero, after he had poured a liquid down the young girl's throat.