“Monsieur Barbey will be with the party, and will pass the night in our company... and you can count on it, that we shall drink a good bottle of Burgundy to enable us to await with patience and serenity the audacious individuals you say we are to expect... Dear Monsieur Fandor, you will now excuse us, whilst we sign our outgoing letters as fast as possible.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX : IN THE JAWS

The servant had retired, leaving the three men to their fruit and wine. His hosts turned to Fandor in mute interrogation...

But Fandor continued to peel a superb peach with the utmost coolness: he did not seem disposed to talk.

Barbey broke the silence.

“Tell me, now that your first day on guard is ended, and you have not left us for a moment – have you noticed anything at all suspicious?”

Fandor shook his head. “Nothing whatever.” This was not strictly true; for he had noticed an individual in the bank, occupied in repairing the telephone.

He had made discreet enquiries, and had been told that he was a workman sent by the State, at the request of the bankers, to see that the lines were in good working order.

This explanation had at first set his mind at rest regarding the comings and goings of this individual.

But, just when he was going into dinner at seven o’clock, Fandor had come across the man in the vestibule of the bank making preparations to depart. It had been a painful surprise for Fandor. He recognised the man, but could not remember exactly who he was, or where he had seen him...

Was this workman one of the mysterious band of criminals who, he was more and more convinced, meant to strike a blow at Monsieur Barbey, and his partner, Nanteuil?

If Fandor had had anything to go upon, he would have had the man shadowed. But he had no sure ground for his suspicions; besides, sent by the State, the man was most probably what he seemed. As he was working for the Government, he could easily be traced should such a step be found necessary. But to make certain that all was as it should be, Fandor had examined the work done by this individual during the day. There was nothing wrong with it: beyond a doubt, the man was an expert. Therefore Fandor had felt justified in saying that he had noticed nothing suspicious during the day.

“So much the worse,” remarked Monsieur Barbey, with a shrug. “Probably the individuals who are threatening us have been warned of your presence here, and are on their guard. I rejoice as far as we are concerned; but, as regards the general interest, I almost regret it: that your trap should prove effective, is what we must wish.”