"We cannot keep them back any longer.

You understand--the side door to be opened at seven o'clock.

Ah! who is this ?" They both turned.

Steinmetz was standing behind them, but he could not have heard De Chauxville's words.

He closed the door carefully, and came forward with his grim smile.
"A nous trois!" he said, and the subsequent conversation was in the language in which these three understood each other best.
De Chauxville bit his lip and waited.