"This way!... Help!... I've got them! ... This way!"

He pointed his revolver and fired two shots into the tree-tops. Then
he went back to Vaucheray, bent over him and smeared his face and hands
with the wounded man's blood. Lastly, turning upon Gilbert, he took
him violently by the shoulders and threw him to the floor.

"What do you want, governor? There's a nice thing to do!"

"Let me do as I please," said Lupin, laying an imperative stress on
every syllable. "I'll answer for everything... I'll answer for the two
of you... Let me do as I like with you... I'll get you both out of prison
... But I can only do that if I'm free."

Excited cries rose through the open window.

"This way!" he shouted. "I've got them! Help!"

And, quietly, in a whisper:

"Just think for a moment... Have you anything to say to me?... Something
that can be of use to us?"

Gilbert was too much taken aback to understand Lupin's plan and he
struggled furiously. Vaucheray showed more intelligence; moreover, he
had given up all hope of escape, because of his wound; and he snarled:

"Let the governor have his way, you ass!... As long as he gets off, isn't
that the great thing?"