In the gallery, where all the lamps had been
lit, it was quite light. In the closet, however, it was quite
dark. It was a splendid place from which to observe and remain
unobserved.
I was soon to play the part of a spy--a common policeman. I
wonder what my leader at the bar would have said had he known! I
was not altogether pleased with my duties, but I could not refuse
Rouletabille the assistance he had begged me to give him. I took
care not to make him see that I in the least objected, and for
several reasons. I wanted to oblige him; I did not wish him to
think me a coward; I was filled with curiosity; and it was too late
for me to draw back, even had I determined to do so. That I had
not had these scruples sooner was because my curiosity had quite
got the better of me. I might also urge that I was helping to
save the life of a woman, and even a lawyer may do that
conscientiously.
We returned along the gallery. On reaching the door of Mademoiselle
Stangerson's apartment, it opened from a push given by the steward
who was waiting at the dinner-table.
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