"In what direction did he go?"
"I know not, and I assure you that no one in the hôtel knows more than I."
Coucon was glad when this examination was over. Esperance was never harsh or severe with his people, but they never felt at ease with him as with his father. But in fact Bertuccio had given no hint of where the Count was going, and when Esperance was fully convinced of this he dismissed Coucon; but as the Zouave was leaving the room, the young master stopped him.
"I want to say to you, Coucon, that I am fully aware of your fidelity, and that I trust you implicitly. You once assisted my father to save my life."
"Never mind that, sir."
"And if my manner is cold toward you, my heart is not. Shake hands with me."
Coucon, greatly pleased, laid his huge hand into the delicate one of the Vicomte, who pressed it warmly.
The Zouave uttered an exclamation.
"What is the matter?"