It was only at the close of the
repast, when the conversation had drifted to other subjects, that
Velmont took any part in it. Then he was, by turns, amusing and
grave, talkative and pensive. And all his remarks seemed to be
directed to the young girl. But she, quite absorbed, did not
appear to hear them.
Coffee was served on the terrace overlooking the court of honor and
the flower garden in front of the principal facade. The regimental
band played on the lawn, and scores of soldiers and peasants
wandered through the park.
Miss Nelly had not forgotten, for one moment, Lupin's solemn
promise: "To-morrow, at three o'clock, everything will be
returned."
At three o'clock! And the hands of the great clock in the right
wing of the castle now marked twenty minutes to three. In spite of
herself, her eyes wandered to the clock every minute. She also
watched Velmont, who was calmly swinging to and fro in a
comfortable rocking chair.
Ten minutes to three!....Five minutes to three!....Nelly was
impatient and anxious. Was it possible that Arsene Lupin would
carry out his promise at the appointed hour, when the castle, the
courtyard, and the park were filled with people, and at the very
moment when the officers of the law were pursuing their
investigations? And yet.
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