"He ceased to frown at that, staring at me heavily, and chewing his moustache."
"'Sit down,' he said suddenly, and came nearer, glancing over his shoulder at the aperture of the doors. Something in that movement gave me the suggestion that he was accustomed to guard against eavesdroppers; all those poor forlorn gamesters and wastrels are full of secrets and privacies. One sees them for ever in corners with furtive eyes for listeners, guiding their business like conspirators."
"I gave him my message at once. There was a need upon me for plain speech with the man, like that need for cold steel which came upon poor Vaucher."
"'There is time for you to make your packages and be gone,' I said. 'Time for that and no more, and I recommend you to let the packages be few. If you go, you will not be sought for. That is what I have to say to you.'"
"He glanced over his shoulder again and came a step nearer. 'You mean——'he said, and hesitated."
"'The money? Yes,' I answered. 'That is what I mean. You will go?"
"He stared at me a moment in silence. I felt as if I had struck him and spat in his face. But he had no such thought."
"'How long have I?' he asked suddenly."
"'You have to-night,' I answered."
"It seemed as if he were going to ask further questions, but at that moment Madame Bertin appeared in the doorway behind him. I knew she had heard our talk.