They heard him repeating:
"813 . . . 813. . . ." And, in a lower voice, "813 . . . an '8' . . . a '1' . . . a '3' . . . yes, of course. . . . But why? . . . That's not enough. . . ."
The Emperor muttered:
"He impresses me. I find it difficult to believe that a man can play a part like that. . . ."
Half-past eleven struck . . . a quarter to twelve. . . .
Lupin remained motionless, with his fists glued to his temples.
The Emperor waited, with his eyes fixed on a chronometer which Waldemar held in his hand.
Ten minutes more . . . five minutes more . . .
"Is the car there, Waldemar? . . . Are your men ready?"
"Yes, Sire."