"Well," he asked, "what am I to tell him?"
"Return to Monsieur Goutran and tell him that if it costs me my life I will discover what he wishes to know. And remember that you must open the door of the hôtel to me at whatever time I may come. Of course, you and Monsieur Goutran will be there all night. Now, go!"
At this moment a terrified looking servant entered the room.
"Mademoiselle," he said, "your father has just been taken ill."
Omar respectfully saluted the young girl, and was lost in the crowd. No one noticed him, for there was much excitement over the illness of the great financier. Carmen followed the lacquey with rather too slow a step for the occasion. She was intensely irritated at this new comedy, and she was tempted to cry out to the crowd:
"He lies! He has always lied!"
Laisangy was lying back in his chair. There was no physician in the room, and yet the people about him talked knowingly of bleeding him. Fortunately for him, Carmen arrived.
"I know what it is," she said; "he has had similar attacks before. He will be better after a little rest."
And Carmen gave orders that the banker should be carried to his chamber. Then excusing herself to her guests, she followed.