The gas was lighted, there
was a bright glare through all the room, and everything was in
confusion, with M. Vandeloup seated in the centre, like Marius amid
the ruins of Carthage. While thus engaged there came a ring at the
outer door, and shortly afterwards Gaston's landlady entered his
room with a card.
'A gentleman wants to see you, sir,' she said, holding out the card.
'I'm not at home,' replied Vandeloup, coolly, removing the cigarette
he was smoking from his mouth; 'I can't see anyone tonight.'
'He says you'd like to see him, sir,' answered the woman, standing
at the door.
'The deuce he does,' muttered Vandeloup, uneasily; 'I wonder what
this pertinacious gentleman's name is? and he glanced at the card,
whereon was written 'Dr Gollipeck'.
Vandeloup felt a chill running through him as he rose to his feet.
The battle was about to begin, and he knew he would need all his wit
and skill to get himself out safely. Dr Gollipeck had thrown down
the gauntlet, and he would have to pick it up. Well, it was best to
know the worst at once, so he told the landlady he would see
Gollipeck downstairs. He did not want him to come up there, as he
would see all the evidences of his intention to leave the country.
'I'll see him downstairs,' he said, sharply, to the landlady; 'ask
the gentleman to wait.'
The landlady, however, was pushed roughly to one side, and Dr
Gollipeck, rusty and dingy-looking as ever, entered the room.
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