"Less prudent than you are, who bring a whole army as escort," Luisa retorted, opening the door. He glanced at her, shrugged his shoulders, and passed in, followed by the others.
"Open everything here," said he roughly, in a loud voice, pointing to the writing-desk. Franco's big, blue eyes flashed. "Speak softly!" said he. "Do not frighten my child."
"Silence, you!" the detective thundered, bringing his fist down upon the desk. "Open!"
At that noise the child began to sob violently. Franco, who was furious, flung the key upon the desk.
"Open it yourself," said he.
"You are under arrest!" cried the detective.
"Very well."
While Franco was answering thus, Luisa, who had bent low over her baby, trying to pacify her, raised her face impetuously.
"I also have a right to that honour," said she, in her fine, ringing voice.
The detective did not deign to reply, but ordered a gendarme to open all the drawers of the writing-desk, and he himself searched them, removing all the letters, examining them rapidly, throwing some on the floor, and tossing others into the great leathern bag. After the writing-desk it was the turn of the chests of drawers, where everything was turned upside down. Then Maria's little bed was inspected. The detective ordered Luisa to remove the child from the big bed, which he also intended to examine.