“The concierge?”
“Yes.”
“Why, I sent him to the rue Chalgrin this morning to pick up the garnets that fell out of my brooch.”
“There is no doubt, then, that Sholmes caught him.”
“No; the garnets were delivered to the jeweler in the rue de la Paix.”
“Then, what has become of him?”
“Oh! Maxime, I am afraid.”
“There is nothing to be afraid of, but I confess the situation is very serious. What does he know? Where does he hide himself? His isolation is his strong card. I cannot reach him.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Act with extreme prudence, Clotilde. Some time ago I decided to change my residence to a safer place, and Sholmes’ appearance on the scene has prompted me to do so at once. When a man like that is on your track, you must be prepared for the worst. Well, I am making my preparations. Day after to-morrow, Wednesday, I shall move. At noon it will be finished. At two o’clock I shall leave the place, after removing the last trace of our residence there, which will be no small matter. Until then——”