“I’ll arrest you in three minutes from now, or the coronet will be untouched,” cried Guerchard in a firmer tone.
“In three minutes from now the coronet will have been stolen; and you will not arrest me,” said the Duke, in a tone of chilling certainty.
“But I will! I swear I will!” cried Guerchard.
“Don’t swear any foolish oaths! ... THERE ARE ONLY TWO MINUTES LEFT,” said the Duke; and he drew a revolver from his pocket.
“No, you don’t!” cried Guerchard, drawing a revolver in his turn.
“What’s the matter?” said the Duke, with an air of surprise. “You haven’t forbidden me to shoot Lupin. I have my revolver ready, since he’s going to come.... THERE’S ONLY A MINUTE LEFT.”
“There are plenty of us,” said Guerchard; and he went towards the door.
“Funk!” said the Duke scornfully.
Guerchard turned sharply. “Very well,” he said, “I’ll stick it out alone.”
“How rash!” sneered the Duke.