"But if this robbery with which you're threatened is genuine, it's just childish." "How ?" said the millionaire.
"Look at the date of the letter--Sunday, September the third.

This letter was written to-day." "Yes.

Well, what of it ?" said the millionaire.
"Look at the letter: 'I shall set about a respectful acquisition of them in your Paris house to-morrow morning'-- to-morrow morning." "Yes, yes; 'to-morrow morning'-- what of it ?" said the millionaire.
"One of two things," said the Duke.

"Either it's a hoax, and we needn't bother about it; or the threat is genuine, and we have the time to stop the robbery." "Of course we have.

Whatever was I thinking of ?" said the millionaire.
And his anguish cleared from his face.
"For once in a way our dear Lupin's fondness for warning people will have given him a painful jar," said the Duke.
"Come on! let me get at the telephone," cried the millionaire.
"But the telephone's no good," said Sonia quickly.
"No good! Why ?" roared the millionaire, dashing heavily across the room to it.
"Look at the time," said Sonia; "the telephone doesn't work as late as this.