"Yes, sir."
They ascended the stairs and entered the large rooms one after the other. When the Vicomte's cabinet was entered, it was found all in disorder.
"The Vicomte, you see, has taken his pistols," said Coucon.
"What time did the Vicomte go?" asked Fanfar.
"I know not," answered Coucon, "and Madame was weeping so bitterly that she was of little use."
Fanfar was annoyed that he could elicit so little, knowing well that if Monte-Cristo were there his eagle eye would have discovered something.
"Send me the porter," he said.
And when the man appeared, he asked at what hour the Vicomte went out last. The man, in some confusion, replied that he did not see him go out.
"You were absent from your post, then?"
"No, sir, I was not. I was not away for one moment yesterday."