“If ever I meet the cowardly blackguard I will kill him! That I swear. Not only has he robbed me, but he has also betrayed me to the police, knowing that I must be sent to prison, while he will remain safe!”
At that instant there came a heavy banging upon the door, while a loud, imperative voice cried:
“We are agents of police. Open—in the name of the law!”
The victim shrank back in terror. It was the end of his criminal career! He never dreamed that the police were so hot upon their track, and that they had been traced right over from Neuilly.
“Open—in the name of the law!” was again repeated, loud and commanding, followed by a sharp rapping.
For a few seconds Adolphe stood motionless, his fist still clenched, his terrified eyes fixed upon the door. He seemed rooted to the spot.
“Open this door—or we shall break it down!” shouted the police-officer on the stairs.
Then, finding resistance impossible, Ansell’s victim was compelled to bow to the inevitable.
He crossed the room slowly, turned the key, and drew the bolt.