"That's all right! I'm only telling you, so that you may know that I am not a beginner and that you have nothing to hope for. A rescue? No. The room in which we now are communicates with my bedroom. It has a private outlet of which nobody knows. It was Dugrival's special apartment. He used to see his friends here. He kept his implements and tools here, his disguises … his telephone even, as you perceive. So there's no hope, you see. Your accomplices have given up looking for you here. I have sent them off on another track. Your goose is cooked. Do you begin to realize the position?"
"Yes."
"Then sign the cheques."
"And, when I have signed them, shall I be free?"
"I must cash them first."
"And after that?"
"After that, on my soul, as I hope to be saved, you will be free."
"I don't tr
