He has just arrived." "Follow me," said Lemerre.
Six yards from where they stood a couple of steps led down from the embankment on to a wooden landing-stage, where boats were moored.
Lemerre, followed by the others, walked briskly down on to the landing-stage.

An electric launch was waiting.

It had an awning and was of the usual type which one hires at Geneva.

There were two sergeants in plain clothes on board, and a third man, whom Ricardo recognised.
"That is the man who found out in whose shop the cord was bought," he said to Hanaud.
"Yes, it is Durette.

He has been here since yesterday." Lemerre and the three who followed him stepped into it, and it backed away from the stage and, turning, sped swiftly outwards from Geneva.
The gay lights of the shops and the restaurants were left behind, the cool darkness enveloped them; a light breeze blew over the lake, a trail of white and tumbled water lengthened out behind and overhead, in a sky of deepest blue, the bright stars shone like gold.
"If only we are in time!" said Hanaud, catching his breath.
"Yes," answered Lemerre; and in both their voices there was a strange note of gravity.
Lemerre gave a signal after a while, and the boat turned to the shore and reduced its speed.