Terrified though they were, Jeanne and the doctor thought only of that one thing: to see, to learn the truth, to gaze upon the adversary's face.
He took one more step and did not move again. It seemed to them that his figure stood out, darker, against the dark space and that his arm rose slowly, slowly....
A minute passed and then another minute....
And, suddenly, beyond the man, on the right a sharp click.... A bright light flashed, was flung upon the man, lit him full in the face, remorselessly.
Jeanne gave a cry of affright. She had seen—standing over her, with a dagger in his hand—she had seen ... her father!
Almost at the same time, though the light was already turned off, there came a report: the doctor had fired.
"Dash it all, don't shoot!" roared Lupin.
He threw his arms round the doctor, who choked out:
"Didn't you see?... Didn't you see?... Listen!... He's escaping!..."
"Let him escape: it's the best thing that could happen."