the two drawing-rooms, as being less likely points of attack. He
also was to have a gun; and the millionaire went with him to the
gun-room and gave him one and a dozen cartridges. When they came
back to the hall, Sonia called them into the dining-room; and there,
to the accompaniment of an unsubdued grumbling from Germaine at
having to eat cold food at eight at night, they made a hasty but
excellent meal, since the chef had left an elaborate cold supper
ready to be served.

They had nearly finished it when Jean came in, his gun on his arm,
to say that Firmin had harnessed the horse to the luggage-cart, and
it was awaiting them at the door of the chateau.

"Send him in to me, and stand by the horse till we come out," said
the millionaire.

Firmin came clumping in.

The millionaire gazed at him solemnly, and said: "Firmin, I am
relying on you. I am leaving you in a position of honour and danger-
-a position which an old soldier of France loves."

Firmin did his best to look like an old soldier of France. He pulled
himself up out of the slouch which long years of loafing through
woods with a gun on his arm had given him. He lacked also the old
soldier of France's fiery gaze. His eyes were lack-lustre.

"I look for anything, Firmin--burglary, violence, an armed assault,"
said the millionaire.