She leant out:
"Montfaucon!"
"Here I am, mummy," the child replied.
"Did you see any one come down the ladder and run away?"
"From a distance, mummy—as I came round the corner of the house."
"Did you recognize the man?"
"The man was two, mummy."
"Ah, there were two, were there?"
"Yes ... another man ... and the nasty gentleman."
Raoul's grandfather was not dead; he was not even in any danger of dying. From certain details of the conflict it looked as if d'Estreicher and his confederate had tried by threats and violence to force the old man to reveal what he knew, and doubtless to hand over the gold piece. In particular his throat showed red finger-marks where they had gripped it. Had the ruffian and his confederate succeeded at the last moment?