“Yes.”
The drama had suddenly undergone a complete change. From all the furious antagonism which flung them into conflict with one another, from the hatred and fury of love and jealousy, there seemed to come clear only their anxiety about the great enterprise. The obsession of vengeance passed into the background of Josephine’s mind. The thousands and thousands of jewels were, as Ralph had willed, once more gleaming before her eyes.
Beaumagnan raised himself painfully into a sitting posture and was listening with all his ears.
Leaving Clarice to the care of her confederate, Josine stepped nearer to Ralph, and said: “Is it sufficient to know the key-word of the enigma?”
“No,” he said with decision. “It is still necessary to interpret it. The meaning of the formula is hidden behind a veil; and the first thing to do is to pierce that veil.”
“And have you done it?”
“Yes. I already had some ideas about the matter. Just now, all at once, the truth flashed on me.”
She knew that he was not the man to joke at such a juncture.
“Tell me about it,” she said, “and Clarice shall go.”
“Let her go first and I’ll tell you my idea. Of course I won’t reveal it with a rope round my neck and my hands bound, but free and in no way hampered.”