The door opened and Charolais bustled in: “Shall I clear away the breakfast?” he said.
Lupin nodded; and then the telephone bell rang. He put his finger on his lips and went to it.
“Are you there?” he said. “Oh, it’s you, Germaine.... Good morning.... Oh, yes, I had a good night—excellent, thank you.... You want to speak to me presently? ... You’re waiting for me at the Ritz?”
“Don’t go—don’t go—it isn’t safe,” said Victoire, in a whisper.
“All right, I’ll be with you in about half an hour, or perhaps three-quarters. I’m not dressed yet ... but I’m ever so much more impatient than you ... good-bye for the present.” He put the receiver on the stand.
“It’s a trap,” said Charolais.
“Never mind, what if it is? Is it so very serious?” said Lupin. “There’ll be nothing but traps now; and if I can find the time I shall certainly go and take a look at that one.”
“And if she knows everything? If she’s taking her revenge ... if she’s getting you there to have you arrested?” said Victoire.
“Yes, M. Formery is probably at the Ritz with Gournay-Martin. They’re probably all of them there, weighing the coronet,” said Lupin, with a chuckle.
He hesitated a moment, reflecting; then he said, “How silly you are! If they wanted to arrest me, if they had the material proof which they haven’t got, Guerchard would be here already!”