. I've just seen one of them. He was bolting through the middle
window."

The Duke raised his eyebrows.

"Nerves," he said gently--"nerves."

"Nerves be hanged!" said the millionaire. "I tell you I saw him as
plainly as I see you."

"Well, you can't see me at all, seeing that you're lighting an acre and
a half of hall with a single lamp," said the Duke, still in a tone of
utter incredulity.

"It's that fool Firmin! He ought to have lighted six. Firmin! Firmin!"
bellowed the millionaire.

They listened for the sonorous clumping of the promoted gamekeeper's
boots, but they did not hear it. Evidently Firmin was still giving his
master's instructions about the cars to Jean.

"Well, we may as well shut the windows, anyhow," said the Duke,
proceeding to do so. "If you think Firmin would be any good, you might
post him in this hall with a gun to-night. There could be no harm in
putting a charge of small shot into the legs of these ruffians. He has
only to get one of them, and the others will go for their lives. Yet I
don't like leaving you and Germaine in this big house with only Firmin
to look after you."

"I shouldn't like it myself, and I'm not going to chance it," growled
the millionaire. "We're going to motor to Paris along with you, and
leave Jean to help Firmin fight these burglars. Firmin's all
right--he's an old soldier. He fought in '70. Not that I've much belief
in soldiers against this cursed Lupin, after the way he dealt with that
corporal and his men three years ago."

"I'm glad you're coming to Paris," said the Duke. "It'll be a weight
off my mind. I'd better drive the limousine, and you take the
landaulet."

"That won't do," said the millionaire. "Germaine won't go in the
limousine. You know she has taken a dislike to it."

"Nevertheless, I'd better bucket on to Paris, and let you follow slowly
with Germaine. The sooner I get to Paris the better for your
collection. I'll take Mademoiselle Kritchnoff with me, and, if you
like, Irma, though the lighter I travel the sooner I shall get there."

"No, I'll take Irma and Germaine," said the millionaire. "Germaine
would prefer to have Irma with her, in case you had an accident. She
wouldn't like to get to Paris and have to find a fresh maid."

The drawing-room door opened, and in came Germaine, followed by Sonia
and Irma. They wore motor-cloaks and hoods and veils. Sonia and Irma
were carrying hand-bags.

"I think it's extremely tiresome your draggin