"Of course not. But—come. We've both got to get out of here."
"Indeed! I came to see my cousin Alfred. It is a little call I promised him."
"I know everything; and, believe me, you have no time to lose."
"How do you come to know so much?" demanded Emile, suspiciously. "And what is that?" With the muzzle of his weapon he indicated the waxen white flower upon Roly's domino.
"There's no time to explain everything—but I know why you are here. The old man has gone—"
"Gone! Bah! That is a lie. I have followed him all through the city. I've been to his office, and they told me he was here. I've a little matter to settle with him. It will only take a moment."
"I tell you he's gone."
"Who the devil are you, anyhow? I have no friends."
"I am Madelon's fiancé," Van Dam said, boldly.
"Another lie! She has no fiancé." The speaker's face darkened. "If she marries any one, it shall be me."