“ Le beau petit monsieur ,” cried Annette, pausing by the bed in the darkness. “You have tied him up well, hein ? He is like a trussed chicken!” The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the boy; but at that moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand running lightly over his bonds, and something small and cold was pressed into the palm of his hand.

“Come on, Annette.”

“ Mais me voilà. ”

The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say:

“Lock it and give me the key.”