The door of his room is locked, and no one is permitted to enter.

It is believed that to-night an attempt will be made to force a way into that room and to rob its occupant." "The room is empty, you say?
There is no one there ?" I interrupted.
"Precisely, monsieur," Louis said, "but if some one were there who was strong and brave it might be possible to teach a lesson to those who have played us false, and who have planned evil things! If that some one were you, Captain Rotherby, we should consider--Monsieur Decresson and the others would consider--that your debt to them was paid!" I whistled softly to myself.

I began to see Louis' idea.

I was to enter, somehow or other, the room in which Mr.Delora was supposed to be, to remain there concealed, and to await this attack which, for some reason or other, they were expecting.

And then, as the possibilities connected with such an event spread themselves out before me, my sense of humor suddenly asserted itself, and, to Louis' amazement, I laughed in his face.