Then, in Fandor’s mind’s eye, rose a sweet consoling figure, the figure of the girl for whom he was braving danger, for love of whom – yes, he certainly did love her – he had placed himself in such a precarious position... Then all that was optimistic in his nature – and that was much – rose to the surface, and declared the dilemma was not as serious as it seemed.... How could the bandits know of his presence in the trunk? They never would think Jérôme Fandor so stupid as to shut himself up in this trap! Jules and I might shake hands as equals in stupidity! concluded Fandor... Just then the trunk began to move. They were trying to lift it. Whilst struggling to keep his unsteady balance, he said to himself: And just to think now, that they have not rummaged in the chest of drawers, nor have they seized the tell-tale piece of soap! It’s true that Fuselier alone knows of its being there – I was careful not to tell anyone else... But, where the devil are they going?... It’s the stairs, of course! It might as well be a rough precipice by the shaking up they’re giving me!...

CHAPTER NINETEEN : CRIMINAL OR VICTIM

A the bottom of his trunk, Jérôme Fandor was now foaming with rage, furious at being caught in the trap and increasingly uneasy as to how this adventure would end.

Whilst he was realising that his unknown abductors were carrying their heavy weight with difficulty to the pavement of rue Raffet, he made up his mind to a definite course of action regardless of consequences: he was going to shout, move about, make a regular disturbance, rouse the attention of the passers-by – if there happened to be any – but, at all costs, he meant to get out of the trap!... He saw a ray of hope: Madame Bourrat had accompanied her visitors as far as the gate. In presence of such a witness, they would, at least, hesitate to do him serious bodily harm when he made his presence unmistakably known, furious though they would be. He would take every advantage of the situation...

Fandor was about to act: a second more and he would have started, when he heard them speaking. He kept quiet. “We must have a taxi, or at the very least a cab to transport this big trunk. Do you know where one is likely to be found?”

“I doubt if one will be passing at this hour, monsieur.

We retire early in these parts; but, if you like, Jules can go to the station.”

“That’s settled. Let him go as fast as he can!”