As for Klotz, he was an orphan and a bachelor, as Emma assured me, so there he is! and the same fate awaits me—awaits her, perhaps, if we are found together!
“Oh, to flee, to flee, she and I together, to flee, it’s the only reasonable plan, and opportunity favors us! Will it ever occur again?”
We must make for the station, through the forest, in order to avoid Lerne and Karl, who are coming by the road. But the labyrinth!—Perhaps it would be better to use the motor-car and pass over their bodies. I do not know, we shall see!
Shall I be in time? Quick, for God’s sake, quick!
I ran panting, striving to outstrip the light, swift, unseen feet of Death.
I ran, twice falling and twice picking myself up, and gasping with the fear of that Pursuer.
The château! No Lerne yet! His felt hat was not hanging on its usual peg in the hall. I had won the first lap. The second was to get us away, without return. I dashed up the staircase, crossed the landing, went through the dressing-room at a bound, and burst into Emma’s room.
“Let us begone,” I blurted out. “Come, sweetheart, come, I will explain all. There is murder being done at Fonval!”
“What’s the matter? What is it?”
She remained rigid in the presence of my excitement, standing stiffly up.