Only ten days were wanting to Christmas Eve, and I knew no more of Kaffar's whereabouts than I did on the day when I defied Voltaire and started on my search.

Again reports from the detectives came, and still no news.

No doubt, by this, Voltaire was gloating over his victory, while I was nearly mad with despair.
Only ten days! I must do something.

It was my duty, at all hazards, to free Gertrude Forrest from Voltaire.

That was plain.