This was soon accomplished, and the open door exposed, as the Prevot had expected, several large bunches of keys, and a leathern bag, which bore all the marks of being swelled out with coined pieces of some kind. The druggist seized upon the keys, and carefully concealed them on his person; but the Prevot dipped his hand zealously into the heart of the leathern bag, drawing it forth, and then plunging it deep into his own bosom, without at all examining what his fist contained. After two or three such dives down into the pouch, which grew somewhat lank and wrinkled under its intercourse with the Prevot's hand, he raised it, as if to see how much it still contained, murmuring--"We must leave some!"
An approaching step now caused him to replace it hastily, and close the door; and, as soon as the lieutenant brought him the wax and chafing dish, Maillotin du Bac proceeded to secure that cupboard first, using the hilt of his dagger as a seal.
The inferior officer was speedily sent away; and the Prevot instantly turned to his companion, saying, "Now to the Venice cabinet, if you will. You know the way better than I: lead on."
"This way, then! this way!" answered the druggist, "we will go by the back passage;" and opening another door, he hurried on through several corridors, till they entered what had been the great saloon of the hotel. They paused not to feel, and still less to comment on the gloomy aspect which association gives to a festive chamber, the lord of which is just gone down to the gloomy dust; but crossing it as fast as possible, they entered a small room beyond, which was hung all round with rich arras tapestry, and which, besides some settles and a table, contained a large black cabinet of the kind which was at that time imported from Venice.
The druggist approached it eagerly; and looking at the lock, and then at the keys in his hand, after some difficulty chose one, and applied it to the keyhole. What was his surprise, to find that the cabinet was already open, and that the whole shelves which it contained were covered with books and papers, in a state of terrible confusion.
"Curses on the old sloven!" he cried; "this will take an age to go through."
"Better take all the papers," said the Prevot, "and leave the trash of books; but at all events make haste!"
"I cannot conceal them all," replied the druggist. "Here! help me to search. They are tied up in a bundle together, with my name on the back."
The Prevot approached, and aided Ganay busily in his search; and at length the druggist caught a sight of the papers, lying far back in the cabinet: "Here they are! Here they are!" he cried; but at that moment--as he was reaching his hand to seize them--a powerful grasp was laid upon his shoulder, and turning round with a sudden start, he beheld the countenance of Albert Maurice.
Without giving him time to deliberate, the young citizen drew him forcibly back from the cabinet with his right hand, while he himself laid his left upon the very bundle of papers that Ganay had been about to take. The druggist was struck dumb with surprise, disappointment, and consternation; but Maillotin du Bac, who did not easily lose his presence of mind, exclaimed at once, "What, you here, Sir President! I thought you were miles hence by this time."