The man bowed, appeared not to understand, looked at Madame
Trebassof and said to the young man:

"At your service."

He went out.

"Wait here a moment," urged Madame Trebassof, who did not know how
to take this abrupt action and whose anxiety was really painful
to see.

She disappeared after the man of the false astrakhan. A few moments
afterwards she returned. She appeared even more agitated.

"I beg your pardon," she murmured, "but I cannot let them go like
this. They are much chagrined. They have insisted on knowing where
they have failed in their service. I have appeased them with money."

"Yes, and tell me the whole truth, madame. You have directed them
not to go far away, but to remain near the villa so as to watch it
as closely as possible."

She reddened.

"It is true. But they have gone, nevertheless. They had to obey
you. What can that paper be you have shown them?"

Rouletabille drew out again the billet covered with seals and signs
and cabalistics that he did not understand. Madame Trebassof