And every second is important!" He picked up the machine, shook it, saw that the wires were cut, and cried furiously: "Ha! They've played the telephone trick on me! That's Guerchard....

The swine!" "And now you can come along!" cried Victoire.
"But that's just what I can't do!" he cried.
"But there's nothing more for you to do here, since you can no longer telephone," said Victoire, bewildered.
Lupin caught her arm and shook her, staring into her face with panic-stricken eyes.

"But don't you understand that, since I haven't telephoned, she'll come here ?" he cried hoarsely.

"Five-and-twenty minutes past eight! At half-past eight she will start--start to come here." His face had suddenly grown haggard; this new fear had brought back all the exhaustion of the night; his eyes were panic-stricken.
"But what about you ?" said Victoire, wringing her hands.
"What about her ?" said Lupin; and his voice thrilled with anguished dread.
"But you'll gain nothing by destroying both of you--nothing at all." "I prefer it," said Lupin slowly, with a suddenly stubborn air.
"But they're coming to take you," cried Victoire, gripping his arm.
"Take me ?" cried Lupin, freeing himself quietly from her grip.

And he stood frowning, plunged in deep thought, weighing the chances, the risks, seeking a plan, saving devices.
He crossed the room to the writing-table, opened a drawer, and took out a cardboard box about eight inches square and set it on the table.
"They shall never take me alive," he said gloomily.
"Oh, hush, hush!" said Victoire.