"What's that? Who says that?" At once Dossonville was all alertness.
Barabant repeated, adding: "If it is so, citoyen, no matter for what reasons you were present, you cannot ignore the danger you run if recognized."
As though to confirm the warning, the stairway suddenly gave out the hurried fall of feet, the door opened, and Nicole appeared, breathless and frightened.
"Citoyen Dossonville," she cried, "I come to warn you! Javogues is below!"
Dossonville threw a glance to the window, his hand going to his pistol. Then correcting himself, he said:
"So this is your trap, is it?"
"I am not a spy," Barabant disclaimed indignantly. "You have an escape by the roof; the gutter is solid; once opposite—"
"Yes, yes," Nicole added; "pass into my room, through the hall, and out!"
"You mistake me," Dossonville interrupted. "I have nothing to fear. Go to the landing. They may stop on the way."