"But when?"
"This morning. There, will that satisfy you, old patriot?"
A grunt came for all reply, and the next moment the ascending flight creaked with the weight of the concierge.
Nicole, thus threatened with immediate discovery, seized her dagger in a desperate resolve, but the advance stopped and the voice of la Mère Corniche whispered:
"Nicole has gone out, hasn't she?"
"No, she is above."
"Then it is better to wait."
To the inexpressible relief of the trembling girl, the old woman turned and descended. Left in security, Nicole resumed her composure. Without fear of failure, without once debating the means she should employ, confident that all that was essential was to be in the presence of the tyrant, she descended, entering the room so softly that Javogues turned with a startled:
"Who's that?"