"Come, get ready," said the Emperor to the count.
The count went up to Lupin and placed his hand on his shoulder.
The silvery chime of the repeater quivered and struck . . . one, two, three, four, five . . .
"Waldemar, old chap, pull the weights of the old clock."
A moment of stupefaction. It was Lupin's voice, speaking very calmly.
Waldemar, annoyed at the familiarity of the address, shrugged his shoulders.
"Do as he says, Waldemar," said the Emperor.
"Yes, do as I say, my dear count," echoed Lupin, recovering his powers of chaff. "You know the ropes so well . . . all you have to do is to pull those of the clock . . . in turns . . . one, two . . . capital! . . . That's how they used to wind it up in the old days."
The pendulum, in fact, was started; and they heard its regular ticking.
"Now the hands," said Lupin. "Set them at a little before twelve . . . Don't move . . . Let me . . ."