"I beg your pardon; but I shall have my work cut out with that confounded Shears. I swear, however, that he has not done with Lupin yet.... By Jupiter, I'll show the fellow the stuff I'm made of!... Good night.... The unspeakable Wilson is right: I have not a minute to lose."
He walked rapidly away.
Thus ended that strange evening, or, at least that part of it with which I had to do. For many other incidents occurred during the hours that followed, events which the confidences of the others who were present at that dinner have fortunately enabled me to reconstruct in detail.
At the very moment when Lupin left me, Holmlock Shears took out his watch and rose in his turn:
"Twenty to nine. At nine o'clock, I am to meet the count and countess at the railway station."
"Let's go!" cried Wilson, tossing off two glasses of whiskey in succession.
They went out.
"Wilson, don't turn your head.... We may be followed: if so, let us act as though we don't care whether we are or not.... Tell me, Wilson, what's your opinion: why was Lupin in that restaurant?"
Wilson, without hesitation, replied: