Michel Ardan managed fortunately to escape from the last embraces of his vigorous admirers. He made for the Hotel Franklin, quickly gained his chamber,and slid under the bedclothes, while an army of a hundred thousand men kept watch under his windows.
During this time a scene, short, grave, and decisive,took place between the mysterious personage and the president of the Gun Club.
Barbicane, free at last, had gone straight at his adversary.
