“You have seen everything, gentlemen,” declared an old footman.
“Everything!” interrupted the Suisse, “everything! Certainly not. There are the private apartments of Monseigneur and those of Madame la Duchesse still to be explored.”
“Alas!” murmured Lecoq, “What good would it be?”
But the Suisse had already gone to rap gently at one of the doors opening into the hall. His interest equaled that of the detectives. They had seen the murderer enter; he had not seen him go out; therefore the man was in the house and he wished him to be found.
The door at which he had knocked soon opened, and the grave, clean-shaven face of Otto, the duke’s first valet de chambre, showed itself. “What the deuce do you want?” he asked in surly tones.
“To enter Monseigneur’s room,” replied the Suisse, “in order to see if the fugitive has not taken refuge there.”
“Are you crazy?” exclaimed the head valet de chambre. “How could any one have entered here? Besides, I can’t suffer Monsieur le Duc to be disturbed. He has been at work all night, and he is just going to take a bath before going to bed.”
The Suisse seemed very vexed at this rebuff; and Lecoq was presenting his excuses, when another voice was heard exclaiming. “Let these worthy men do their duty, Otto.”
“Ah! do you hear that!” exclaimed the Suisse triumphantly.
“Very well, since Monsieur le Duc permits it. Come in, I will light you through the apartments.”