"It is not too late," he cried; and then he stopped, silenced by the opening door. It was Javette who entered.
They looked at her, and before she spoke were on their feet. Her face, white and eager, marking something besides fear, announced that she brought news. She closed the door behind her, and in a moment it was told.
"Monsieur can escape, if he is quick," she cried in a low tone; and they saw that she trembled with excitement. "They are at supper. But he must be quick! He must be quick!"
"Is not the door guarded!"
"It is, but----"
"And he knows! Your mistress says that he knows that I am here."
For a moment Javette looked startled. "It is possible," she muttered. "But he has gone out."
Madame Carlat clapped her hands. "I heard the door close," she said, "three minutes ago."
"And if monsieur can reach the room in which he supped last night, the window that was broken is only blocked"--she swallowed once or twice in her excitement--"with something he can move. And then monsieur is in the street, where his cowl will protect him."
"But Count Hannibal's men?" he asked eagerly.