On one of the stones of the house, he read the words: "Destange, architect, 1874." And he found the same inscription—"Destange, architect, 1874"—on each of the adjoining blocks of flats.
The reaction after this excitement was so great that he sank back into the cab for a few minutes, all trembling with delight. At last a tiny glimmer flickered in the darkness! Amid the thousand intersecting paths in the great, gloomy forest, he had found the first sign of a trail followed by the enemy!
He entered a telephone-office and asked to be put on to the Château de Crozon. The countess herself answered.
"Hullo!... Is that you, madame?"
"Is that Mr. Shears? How are things going?"
"Very well. But tell me, quickly.... Hullo! Are you there?..."
"Yes...."
"When was the Château de Crozon built?"
"It was burnt down thirty years ago and rebuilt."