"Ah! really, Bernie, you are wonderful. That was a glorious idea of yours—those telegrams."
"Yes. They've worked well," he said. "Both the girl and his sister, as well as the fellow's employers, have all been reassured."
"But the girl is a menace, I repeat," the woman declared, "and as such you must see that her activity comes to an end. There are a dozen ways in which you can manage it. Adopt one of them, and lose no time about it," she urged.
"Yes," he said in a hard voice, "I ought to have taken your advice long ago."
"Well, take it now," she said. "There are enemies around us—Céline, Galtier, and this girl Ramsay. So be careful. We are in very serious peril!"
"True. How serious we have yet to learn. But let's remain cool and we shall most certainly win."
Almost as he spoke, however, the electric bell at the front door rang, causing them both to start.
"Whoever can it be at this hour?" gasped Lilla, jumping to her feet.
"Wait!" said Boyne, in a changed voice. "I'll go down and see."
He did so. Lilla stood breathless, listening. She heard him unbolt the door and open it.