"Ah! monsieur, something strange—"
"On the way up to poor Oliver, I had to pass by Mademoiselle Victoria's door, and I heard the sound of footsteps within."
"My sister did not go out, then?"
"Pardon me, monsieur; I saw mademoiselle leave the house, with my own eyes, and she gave me the key of her room."
"That is truly strange! Who then can be there?"
"No one, monsieur, for your sister does not receive a soul. That is why the sound of steps astonished me so!"
"Explain yourself more clearly!"
"I mean I heard, or thought I heard, someone walking in mademoiselle's chamber. It could not be you, monsieur, because you are here. It could be neither madam nor her mother, for I had just seen them on the first floor as I went up to mademoiselle's; so I said to myself, 'Perhaps it is some rogue who has broken in!' Then I rapped at the door and called, 'Mademoiselle, are you there?' No answer. I rapped again; no answer. I said to myself, 'It surely must be some rascal or other!' I came down in haste to get the key; risking whatever might come, I opened the door, and, 'pon my faith——"
"That is what you should have done first thing. The mystery would have been solved at once. Whom did you find?"