“You are?” said the Duke.
“Yes, I am,” said M. Gournay-Martin firmly.
“Do you think it’s wise?” said the Duke.
“Why not?” said M. Gournay-Martin.
“If Lupin’s really made up his mind to collar that coronet, and if you’re so sure that, in spite of all these safeguards, he’s going to make the attempt, it seems to me that you’re taking a considerable risk. He asked you to have it ready for him in your bedroom. He didn’t say which bedroom.”
“Good Lord! I never thought of that!” said M. Gournay-Martin, with an air of sudden and very lively alarm.
“His Grace is right,” said Guerchard. “It would be exactly like Lupin to send that telegram to drive you out of the house with the coronet to some place where you would be less protected. That is exactly one of his tricks.”
“Good Heavens!” said the millionaire, pulling out his keys and unlocking the bag. He opened it, paused hesitatingly, and snapped it to again.
“Half a minute,” he said. “I want a word with you, Duke.”
He led the way out of the drawing-room door and the Duke followed him. He shut the door and said in a whisper: