Upon my word, I thought she was going to kiss it.

So strongly did I think it that, hating fuss of that sort, I made a half-motion to pull it away.

However, I was wrong.

She merely pressed it and let it drop.
"Cheer up! cheer up! I'll turn up again soon," said I, and I left the room.
And left in the nick of time; for at the very moment when I, hugging the lump in my coat which marked the position of the Cardinal's Necklace, reached the foot of the stairs Mme.

Delhasse appeared on her way up.
"Oh, you old viper!" I murmured thoughtlessly, in English.
"Pardon, monsieur ?" said Mme.