Suddenly, Lupin remembered the article which Gilbert had put in his
pocket, after capturing it from Vaucheray. He now tried to take it in
his turn.

"No, not that! Not if I know it!" growled Gilbert, managing to release
himself.

Lupin floored him once more. But two men suddenly appeared at the window;
and Gilbert yielded and, handing the thing to Lupin, who pocketed it
without looking at it, whispered:

"Here you are, governor... I'll explain. You can be sure that..."

He did not have time to finish... Two policemen and others after them and
soldiers who entered through every door and window came to Lupin's
assistance.

Gilbert was at once seized and firmly bound. Lupin withdrew:

"I'm glad you've come," he said. "The beggar's given me a lot of
trouble. I wounded the other; but this one..."

The commissary of police asked him, hurriedly:

"Have you seen the man-servant? Have they killed him?"

"I don't know," he answered.

"You don't know?..."