The following are the facts as they were related with scrupulous exactness at the preliminary examination.
II
The banking-house of Andre Fauvel, No. 87 Rue de Provence, is an important establishment, and, owing to its large force of clerks, presents very much the appearance of a government department.
On the ground-floor are the offices, with windows opening on the street, fortified by strong iron bars sufficiently large and close together to discourage all burglarious attempts.
A large glass door opens into a spacious vestibule where three or four office-boys are always in waiting.
On the right are the rooms to which the public is admitted, and from which a narrow passage leads to the principal cash-room.
The offices of the corresponding clerk, book-keeper, and general accounts are on the left.
At the farther end is a small court on which open seven or eight little wicket doors. These are kept closed, except on certain days when notes are due; and then they are indispensable.
M. Fauvel’s private office is on the first floor over the offices, and leads into his elegant private apartments.