observed Gilbert.

The motor drove away; and Lupin, taking the road to the lake with his
two companions, replied:

"Why? Because I didn't prepare the plan; and, when I don't do a thing
myself, I am only half-confident."

"Nonsense, governor! I've been working with you for three years now...
I'm beginning to know the ropes!"

"Yes, my lad, you're beginning," said Lupin, "and that's just why I'm
afraid of blunders... Here, get in with me... And you, Vaucheray, take
the other boat... That's it... And now push off, boys... and make as
little noise as you can."

Growler and Masher, the two oarsmen, made straight for the opposite
bank, a little to the left of the casino.

They met a boat containing a couple locked in each other's arms,
floating at random, and another in which a number of people were singing
at the top of their voices. And that was all.

Lupin shifted closer to his companion and said, under his breath:

"Tell me, Gilbert, did you think of this job, or was it Vaucheray's
idea?"

"Upon my word, I couldn't tell you: we've both of us been discussing it
for weeks."

"The thing is, I don't trust Vaucheray: he's a low ruffian when one gets
to know him... I can't make out why I don't get rid of him..."

"Oh, governor!"

"Yes, yes, I mean what I say: he's a dangerous fellow, to say nothing
of the fact that he has some rather serious peccadilloes on his
conscience."

He sat silent for a moment and continued:

"So you're quite sure that you saw Daubrecq the deputy?"

"Saw him with my own eyes, governor."

"And you know that he has an appointment in Paris?"

"He's going to the theatre."

"Very well; but his servants have remained behind at the Enghien
villa...."

"The cook has been sent away. As for the valet, Leonard, who is
Daubrecq's confidential man, he'll wait for his master in Paris. They
can't get back from town before one o'clock in the morning. But..."

"But what?"

"We must reckon with a possible freak of fancy on Daubrecq's part, a
change of mind, an unexpected return, and so arrange to have everything
finished and done with in an hour."

"And when did you get these details?"

"This morning. Vaucheray and I at once thought that it was a favourable
moment. I selected the garden of the unfinished house which we have just
left as the best place to start from; for the house is not watched at
night. I sent for two mates to row the boats; and I telephoned to you.
That's the whole story