and a half of hall with a single lamp," said the Duke, still in a
tone of utter incredulity.

"It's that fool Firmin! He ought to have lighted six. Firmin!
Firmin!" bellowed the millionaire.

They listened for the sonorous clumping of the promoted gamekeeper's
boots, but they did not hear it. Evidently Firmin was still giving
his master's instructions about the cars to Jean.

"Well, we may as well shut the windows, anyhow," said the Duke,
proceeding to do so. "If you think Firmin would be any good, you
might post him in this hall with a gun to-night. There could be no
harm in putting a charge of small shot into the legs of these
ruffians. He has only to get one of them, and the others will go for
their lives. Yet I don't like leaving you and Germaine in this big
house with only Firmin to look after you."

"I shouldn't like it myself, and I'm not going to chance it,"
growled the millionaire. "We're going to motor to Paris along with
you, and leave Jean to help Firmin fight these burglars. Firmin's
all right--he's an old soldier. He fought in '70. Not that I've much
belief in soldiers against this cursed Lupin, after the way he dealt
with that corporal and his men three years ago."

"I'm glad you're coming to Paris," said the Duke. "It'll be a weight
off my mind. I'd better drive the limousine, and you take the
landaulet."

"That won't do," said the millionaire. "Germaine won't go in the