"By Jove," said Lupin to himself, "that's jolly clever of him! If he leaves it to my generosity, I am a ruined man!"
The very way in which the conversation opened, the frankness of the words employed, the charm of voice and manner all pleased him infinitely.
He pulled himself together, lest he should relent and abandon all the advantages which he had conquered so fiercely.
And the stranger continued:
"Have you read the letters?"
"No."
"But some one you know has read them?"
"No."
"In that case . . ."
"I have the grand-duke's list and his notes. Moreover, I know the hiding-place where he put all his papers."