“How many men have we?”
“Eight—two of them on bicycles.”
“Enough, but not too many. On no account, must Gerbois escape us; if he does, it is all up. He will meet Lupin at the appointed place, give half a million in exchange for the girl, and the game will be over.”
“But why doesn’t Gerbois work with us? That would be the better way, and he could keep all the money himself.”
“Yes, but he is afraid that if he deceives the other, he will not get his daughter.”
“What other?”
“Lupin.”
Ganimard pronounced the word in a solemn tone, somewhat timidly, as if he were speaking of some supernatural creature whose claws he already felt.
“It is very strange,” remarked Folenfant, judiciously, “that we are obliged to protect this gentleman contrary to his own wishes.”
“Yes, but Lupin always turns the world upside down,” said Ganimard, mournfully.