“Nine days, dear boy. That is five too many.”
The Englishman spent the entire afternoon in smoking and sleeping. He did not enter upon his new plan of attack until the following day. Then he said:
“Wilson, I am ready. Let us attack the enemy.”
“Lead on, Macduff!” exclaimed Wilson, full of martial ardor. “I wish to fight in the front rank. Oh! have no fear. I shall do credit to my King and country, for I am an Englishman.”
In the first place, Sholmes had three long and important interviews: With Monsieur Detinan, whose rooms he examined with the greatest care and precision; with Suzanne Gerbois, whom he questioned in regard to the blonde Lady; and with Sister Auguste, who had retired to the convent of the Visitandines since the murder of Baron d’Hautrec.
At each of these interviews Wilson had remained outside; and each time he asked:
“Satisfactory?”
“Quite so.”
“I was sure we were on the right track.”
They paid a visit to the two houses adjoining that of the late Baron d’Hautrec in the avenue Henri-Martin; then they visited the rue Clapeyron, and, while he was examining the front of number 25, Sholmes said: