A light below showed that the lower part of this house was inhabited, probably by people innocent of the terrible drama organized above their heads. But the slightest noise might arouse these people, and in such a case the Frenchman is apt to shoot first and make inquiries afterwards. However, once in the street, they could go around to their own rooms without trouble. It was worth the risk.
The stairs, fortunately, had a strip of carpeting, so they soon found themselves safely at the street door. To quietly open this was but the work of a few seconds, when——
They stepped into the arms of Inspector Loup and his agents.
CHAPTER XIX[ToC]
"Pardieu!" exclaimed Inspector Loup, who never recognized his agents officially outside of the Préfecture; "it is La Savatière!"
Mlle. Fouchette trembled a little.
"And Monsieur Marot! Why, this is an unexpected pleasure," continued the police official.