The Englishman seemed delighted at this confession. The two men were silent. Then Lupin, already master of himself, resumed with a smile:
"And I am not sorry. It was becoming wearisome to win every thrust. I had only to put out my arm to hit you full in the chest. This time, you score one. Well, hit, maître!" He laughed whole-heartedly. "At last we shall have some fun! Lupin is caught in the trap. How will he get out?... Caught in the trap!... What an adventure!... Ah, maître, I have to thank you for a grand emotion. This is what I call life!"
He pressed his clenched fists to his temples as though to restrain the ungovernable joy that was bubbling up within him; and he also had gestures like those of a child amusing itself beyond its power of endurance.
At last, he went up to the Englishman:
"And now, what are you here for?"
"What am I here for?"
"Yes. Ganimard is outside, with his men. Why does he not come in?"
"I asked him not to."
"And he consented?"