"Arsene Lupin is a very capable man," said the Duke, smiling. "But
there's no reason to suppose that he's the only burglar in France or
even in Ile-et-Vilaine."

"I'm sure that he's in the neighbourhood. I have a feeling that he
is," said Germaine stubbornly.

The Duke shrugged his shoulders, and said a smile: "Far be it from
me to contradict you. A woman's intuition is always--well, it's
always a woman's intuition."

He came back into the hall, and as he did so the door opened and a
shock-headed man in the dress of a gamekeeper stood on the
threshold.

"There are visitors to see you, Mademoiselle Germaine," he said, in
a very deep bass voice.

"What! Are you answering the door, Firmin?" said Germaine.

"Yes, Mademoiselle Germaine: there's only me to do it. All the
servants have started for the station, and my wife and I are going
to see after the family to-night and to-morrow morning. Shall I show
these gentlemen in?"

"Who are they?" said Germaine.

"Two gentlemen who say they have an appointment."

"What are their names?" said Germaine.