“Eight.”
“That’s not enough.”
The sergeant was getting alarmed: “I can ask for more from the Charenton office!”
“That’s the thing.”
The sergeant got into communication by telephone with his colleague at the neighbouring police post.
“There are fifteen over yonder,” he informed Tom Bob.
“They must all come,” declared the detective, “Fantômas’ band counts at least a round dozen ruffians.”
The detective’s requirements were transmitted from the Alfort office, and the fifteen Charenton officers promised to be there in a quarter of an hour. The gallant sergeant was greatly excited by the coming events; to avoid all doubt and make sure he was covered by his superiors, he asked:
“Monsieur Bob, shall you be coming with us?”
“Undoubtedly!” replied the American detective. But the sergeant was not satisfied yet.