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"Between eleven and twelve? Is that sure?" asked Besnard

"Certainly," replied Hanaud "The gate is open at eleven, and

Perrichet closes it It is open again at twelve Therefore the

ate was open for

theain

be open at ht?"

Besnard nodded in assent, and suddenly Perrichet started forward,

with his eyes full of horror

"Then, when I first closed the gate," he cried, "and caarden and up to the house they were here--in that room? Oh, my

God!" He stared at the ith his mouth open

"I aravely

"But I knocked upon the wooden door, I tried the bolts; and they

ithin--in the darkness within, holding their breath not

three yards from me"

He stood transfixed

"That we shall see," said Hanaud