"Always that double outlet," he thought. "Nos. 40 and 42 communicate. Why did I not think of it before? I ought to have stayed with the policemen all night."
And, addressing them, he said, pointing to the door of the next house:
"Did two people go out by that door while I was away?"
"Yes, sir; a lady and gentleman."
He took the arm of the chief-inspector and led him along:
"M. Ganimard, you have enjoyed too hearty a laugh to be very angry with me for disturbing you like this ..."
"Oh, I'm not angry with you at all."
"That's right. But the best jokes can't go on forever and I think we must put an end to this one."
"I am with you."
"This is our seventh day. It is absolutely necessary that I should be in London in three days hence."