That which did prevent him was the priestly robe, all powerful under the Restoration. With Maurice he was more at ease.
“How many are there in this family?”
“Three; my father, my mother—ill at this moment—and myself.”
“And how many servants?”
“Seven—four men and three women.”
“You have neither received nor concealed anyone this evening?”
“No one.”
“It will be necessary to prove this,” said the captain. And turning toward the door:
“Corporal Bavois!” he called.
This man was one of those old soldiers who had followed the Emperor over all Europe. Two small, ferocious gray eyes lighted his tanned, weather-beaten face, and an immense hooked nose surmounted a heavy, bristling mustache.