"Taken! You mean——"
"I mean Mademoiselle de Paradis and Orrain, and others besides. La
Valentinois was too quick, and struck at once."
Le Brusquet swore under his breath, and Lorgnac went on:
"It happened in this way. On leaving Orrain this evening he told me that De Ganache had been arrested."
"De Ganache arrested too!"
"Yes; at sundown near the wicket gate. The full significance of the news did not strike me at first, for there were other reasons, which we know, that might have led to his arrest. On my return to the Louvre, however, I heard sufficient to tell me that La Valentinois and her party meant to act without delay."
"And never a word came to my ears, and I thought them sharp."
Lorgnac took no notice of the interruption, but continued:
"On learning this I hastened after Orrain, hoping to be in time to overtake him and save our friends; but it was not to be." And then he went on to tell him what is already known. When he had done Le Brusquet said nothing, but remained in a moody silence, staring in front of him, and De Lorgnac turned from him to the window and looked out upon the night. After a little he turned again, and putting his hand on Le Brusquet's shoulder, said:
"It looks, old friend, as if we were beaten."