Standing behind them, with his hands in his pockets, Lupin watched them affectionately and, at the same time, revelled with all his pride, as an artist and master, in this striking proof of his authority, of his might, of the incredible sway which he wielded over others. How could those scoundrels for a second accept that improbable story and lose all sense of things, to the point of relinquishing every chance of the fight in his favor?
He took from his pockets two great massive and formidable revolvers and, calmly, choosing the first two men whom he would bring down and the two who would fall next, he aimed as he might have aimed at a pair of targets in a rifle-gallery.
Two shots together and two more. . . .
Loud yells of pain. . . . Four men came tumbling down, one after the other, like dolls at a cockshy.
"Four from seven leaves three," said Lupin. "Shall I go on?"
His arms remained outstretched, levelled at the Broker and his two pals.
"You swine!" growled the Broker, feeling for a weapon.
"Hands up," cried Lupin, "or I fire! . . . That's it. . . . Now, you two, take away his toys. . . . If not . . . !"
The two scoundrels, shaking with fear, caught hold of their leader and compelled him to submit.
"Bind him! . . . Bind him, confound it! . . . What difference does it make to you? . . . Once I'm gone, you're all free. . . . Come along, have you finished? The wrists first . . . with your belts. . . . And the ankles. . . . Hurry up! . . ."