Lupin looked at his own watch and at a clock which hung on the cabin-wall:
"Five minutes past two?... Our watches agree. How long will it take you to reach Southampton?"
"Nine hours, without hurrying."
"Make it eleven. You must not touch land before the departure of the steamer which leaves Southampton at midnight and is due at the Havre at eight in the morning. You understand, captain, do you not? I repeat: it would be exceedingly dangerous for us all if this gentleman returned to France by the steamer; and you must not arrive at Southampton before one o'clock in the morning."
"Very well, sir."
"Good-bye, maître," said Lupin, turning to Shears. "We shall meet next year, in this world or another."
"Let's say to-morrow."
A few minutes later, Shears heard the car drive away and the engines of the Hirondelle at once began to throb with increased force. The yacht threw off her moorings. By three o'clock they had left the estuary of the Seine and entered the Channel. At that moment, Holmlock Shears lay sound asleep in the berth to which he was fastened down.
On the following morning, the tenth and last day of the war between the two great rivals, the Écho de France published this delicious paragraph: