your friends, your family. Get rid of the police first. They must
not be permitted to cross your threshold. They have not been able
to protect you. You have nothing to regret. And if, after they
are gone, something new turns up, we can leave M. Koupriane to
conduct the inquiries without his being preoccupied here at the
house."

"But you do not know the admirable police of Koupriane. These brave
men have given proof of their devotion."

"Madame, if I were face to face with a Nihilist the first thing I
would ask myself about him would be, 'Is he one of the police?'
The first thing I ask in the presence of an agent of your police is,
'Is he not a Nihilist?'"

"But they will not wish to go."

"Do any of them speak French?"

"Yes, their sergeant, who is out there in the salon."

"Pray call him."

Madame Trebassof walked into the salon and signaled. The man
appeared. Rouletabille handed him a paper, which the other read.

"You will gather your men together and quit the villa," ordered
Rouletabille. "You will return to the police Headguarters. Say to
M. Koupriane that I have commanded this and that I require all police
service around the villa to be suspended until further orders."