And with another wink which meant "You can't fool me, young man," he was gone.
"Well, this is luck!" muttered Jean aloud. He examined the watch lovingly. It was a present from his father. "But how did they get these? how did they know they were mine? and how did they know where I lived? Who asked——"
He went back to the closet and told Mlle. Fouchette the coast was clear. There was no answer. He tried the door. It was locked. She had turned the key on the inside.
"Mademoiselle! Come!"
He waited and listened. Not a sound.
"Mademoiselle! Ah, çà! He is gone long ago!"
Still not a stir. Perhaps she was asleep,—or, maybe,—why, she would smother in that place!
He kicked the door impatiently. He got down upon his breast and put his ear to the crevice below. If she were prostrated he might hear her breathing.
All was silence.