translated it aloud: "Order to all officials in surveillance of the
Villa Trebassof to obey the bearer absolutely. Signed: Koupriane."

"Is it possible!" murmured Matrena Petrovna. "But Koupriane would
never have given you this paper if he had imagined that you would
use it to dismiss his agents."

"Evidently. I have not asked him his advice, madame, you may be
sure. But I will see him to-morrow and he will understand."

"Meanwhile, who is going to watch over him?" cried she.

Rouletabille took her hands again. He saw her suffering, a prey
to anguish almost prostrating. He pitied her. He wished to give
her immediate confidence.

"We will," he said.

She saw his young, clear eyes, so deep, so intelligent, the
well-formed young head, the willing face, all his young ardency for
her, and it reassured her. Rouletabille waited for what she might
say. She said nothing. She took him in her arms and embraced him.




II

NATACHA