The conflict between them was now at its height; and what gave that conflict its peculiar character was that both of them saw clearly the adversary's game. Dorothy had no doubt that Raoul, after an unforeseen delay, was on his way to the Manor, and d'Estreicher, who had no more doubt of it than she, knew that all her actions were based on her expectation of immediate intervention. But there was one trifling fact which rendered their chances of victory equal. D'Estreicher believed himself to be in perfect security because his two confederates, glued to the wicket, were watching the road for the coming of the car; while the young girl had taken the admirable precaution of instructing Raoul to abandon the car and take the paths which were out of sight of the gate. All her hope sprang from this precaution.
She made her explanation quietly, all the while bearing in mind her keen desire to drag out the interview.
"I've never ceased to believe," she said "—and I'm sure that you are of the same opinion that the Baron has never, so to speak, quitted the medal."
"I hunted everywhere," d'Estreicher objected.
"So did I. But I don't mean that he kept it on him. I meant that he kept it and still keeps it within reach."
"You do?"
"Yes. He has always managed in such a way that he has only to stretch out his hand to grasp it."
"Impossible. We should have seen it."
"Not at all. Only just now you failed to see anything."
"Just now?"