The legs of Guerchard disappeared up the steps. The Duke stood listening with all his ears. Directly he heard the sound of Guerchard's heels on the floor, when he dropped from the chimney-piece of the next room, he went swiftly to the door, opened it, and went out. Bonavent was sitting on the chair on which the young policeman had sat during the afternoon. Sonia, in her hat and cloak, was half-way down the stairs.
The Duke put his head inside the drawing-room door, and said to the empty room: "Here is Mademoiselle Kritchnoff, M. Guerchard." He held open the door, Sonia came down the stairs, and went through it. The Duke followed her into the drawing-room, and shut the door.
"There's not a moment to lose," he said in a low voice.
"Oh, what is it, your Grace?" said Sonia anxiously.
"Guerchard has a warrant for your arrest."
"Then I'm lost!" cried Sonia, in a panic-stricken voice.
"No, you're not. You must go—at once," said the Duke.
"But how can I go? No one can get out of the house. M. Guerchard won't let them," cried Sonia, panic-stricken.
