He rang; the door swung open; and M. Plantat and the detective went in under the arch. The porter was on the threshold of his lodge.
"Monsieur Wilson?" asked M. Lecoq.
"He is out."
"I will speak to Madame, then."
"She is also out."
"Very well. Only, as I must positively speak with Madame Wilson, I'm going upstairs."
The porter seemed about to resist him by force; but, as Lecoq now called in his men, he thought better of it and kept quiet.
M. Lecoq posted six of his men in the court, in such a position that they could be easily seen from the windows on the first floor, and instructed the others to place themselves on the opposite sidewalk, telling them to look ostentatiously at the house. These measures taken, he returned to the porter.
"Attend to me, my man. When your master, who has gone out, comes in again, beware that you don't tell him that we are upstairs; a single word would get you into terribly hot water—"
"I am blind," he answered, "and deaf."