Legros and the others were talking in tones that were scarcely raised above a whisper. When thus conversing among themselves both then and afterwards, they employed a language with which I had no acquaintance. It may have been Russian, or Polish, or Hungarian. I have little doubt it was one of the three, but which one I did not know then, and I do not know to this day. Suddenly, Legros, after glancing at his watch, held up a warning finger, and silence at once fell on the group. They all stood as if listening for some expected sound. A minute later it came—the slow, heavy tramp of some one passing down the street. Could it be the night policeman going his rounds? Just as the man, whoever he might be, was passing, Legros glanced at the window, and my eyes involuntarily followed the direction of his. The window was shaded with heavy curtains, now closely drawn; the room was dimly lighted by a single candle only; from the street, even if the night had been a clear one, the house must have seemed wrapped in darkness. The silence in the room remained unbroken till the last faint echoes of the footsteps outside had died away.
As if this were a signal that had been waited for, all now became activity. Jean fetched my coat, boots, and other articles from my bedroom; the bonds that fastened me were unloosed, and I was told to at once complete my toilet. A similar process took place with regard to Karavich; but whereas, when he was fully dressed, his arms were at once strapped down again, in my case, by Legros’ orders, the bonds were dispensed with. Both of us, however, were still gagged. Presently, a noise of wheels was faintly audible, which momentarily grew louder and more distinct. A long dark cloak, the collar of which effectually muffled the lower part of his face, was hastily thrown over Karavich’s shoulders, while a wide-brimmed soft felt hat was placed on his head. This done, he was conducted by two of the men from the room, and I heard all three descend the stairs. By this time, the vehicle, whatever it might be, the noise of which we had heard, had drawn up opposite the house. Half a minute later, we heard it drive away, and presently all sound of it was lost in the distance.
Had Karavich been forced away in it? And if so, why, and whither was he being taken? But scarcely had I time to formulate these queries in my mind, before the noise of approaching wheels became audible for the second time. A cloak, similar to that in which the cafetier had been enveloped, was now thrown over my shoulders, and the collar turned up round my face. After a few whispered words of warning from Legros, I was told to follow him down-stairs as noiselessly as possible, which I proceeded to do, the fourth man bringing up the rear. By this time the second vehicle had drawn up opposite the door. The lower part of the house and the shop were in utter darkness. Legros took me by the hand and guided me the way I was to go. Some one—Jean, I take it to have been—stood by the outer door, and opened it silently as we drew near; and so, without a word, we three passed out into the street. The fog had thinned somewhat, but not to any great extent. The light of a lamp on the opposite side of the street showed like a faint blurred point of flame seen from afar. A vehicle, which by that dim light had all the appearance of an ordinary London four-wheeled cab, with a man seated on the box, was drawn up close to the kerb. So much I was enabled to see, but no more. I was hurried at once into the vehicle; Legros and the other man got in after me; the door was shut without noise; the windows were drawn up; Jean, whom we left behind, said something to the driver; and a moment later, we were being driven rapidly away.
I was utterly at a loss to know the time; but judging by the solitude of the streets and the infrequency with which we encountered any other vehicles, it must have been still very early in the morning. Even if the night had been a perfectly clear one, there was nothing in our appearance to attract the notice of the most suspicious of policemen. A cab containing two or three occupants at an early hour in the morning in London streets, is too common an object to call for a second glance from any one who may encounter it.
We were a silent party. None of us spoke after we entered the vehicle. My companions lay back with folded arms and their hats drawn over their brows. Whether they were asleep or awake, it was impossible for me to determine. My thoughts had ample time to busy themselves with any number of perplexing problems before our drive came to an end, which it did, as nearly as I could judge, in about an hour’s time. We had got off the paved streets some time before this, and were now driving over an ordinary macadamised road. Suddenly we drew up, and the same moment my two companions became on the alert.
‘Pardon me,’ said M. Legros as he drew a silk muffler from one of his pockets, ‘but it is necessary that I should blindfold you for a few minutes.’ Then he added: ‘Do implicitly as you are told; have confidence in me, and no harm shall befall you.’
Some one outside had apparently opened a pair of gates by this time; we went through, passed forward a little way farther at a walking pace, and then came to a final stand. Before this, the deft fingers of M. Legros had effectually bandaged my eyes. The carriage-door was now opened, and one of my companions giving me his hand, helped me to alight, and then led me forward. There was an ascent of three or four steps, and then I felt that I had passed out of the cold night-air into the warmer atmosphere of a house. A minute later, my eyes were unbandaged, and, better still, the gag was removed from my mouth.
I found myself in a large and elegantly furnished room, lighted by a lamp on the centre table, and by candles in the girandoles over the chimney-piece. A wood-fire burned cheerfully in the grate. Standing with his back to it, and watching my look of amazement with an amused, cynical smile, was M. Legros. We were alone.
‘I hope you feel none the worse for your little journey?’ he said. ‘We shall have a longer one to take presently, so I think the best thing we can do is to make due preparation for it.’
‘Another journey!’ I stammered. ‘Where to, this time?’