Papa Bouchard, very white around the lips, poured out with an unsteady hand a glass of champagne, and drank it, the glass clinking against his teeth.
“Léontine,” he said, after having drained the glass. “You are trying to frighten me. But you can’t do it. You sha’n’t do it. And I insist that you shall not be carrying any of your sensational tales to the Rue Clarisse, alarming my poor sister, and making her life a torment. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, indeed, I do,” replied Léontine. “And, by the way, where is your lady friend?”
Monsieur Bouchard looked around for Madame Vernet, and was much disturbed at not seeing her. In the perplexities and annoyances of the last half-hour he had made up his mind that it was absolutely necessary to get that diabolical necklace back, and to work himself out of the scrape in which he unexpectedly found himself.
He called up François, who reported that Madame Vernet had gone out in a great hurry. There was a train for Paris just leaving. It struck him Madame was trying to make that train. Such was precisely Monsieur Bouchard’s idea. Her departure in this way seriously annoyed and alarmed him. One thing, however, was clear in his mind—he must get back to Paris as soon as possible. There was another train in twenty minutes, and then there would be no more till eleven.
De Meneval’s disappearance was also strange, but just as Léontine was beginning to feel uncomfortable she saw de Meneval approaching. Something unusual had evidently happened. He looked angry and excited, and his usually immaculate dress showed that he had been in a scrimmage. By his side walked the portly, the imposing Dr. Delcasse. The Doctor was apologizing to de Meneval with the utmost earnestness.
“My dear sir, I beg you will believe it was a most extraordinary mistake——”
“Very extraordinary!” replied de Meneval, grinding his teeth with rage.
“If I had succeeded in getting you into my sanatorium you would have found every comfort awaiting you.”
“Yes, a strait-jacket, a cold douche, and a padded cell, as you kindly promised me.”