“What is it?”
“Look! This back window is not quite closed! Did you open it?”
“No! I have not been here in the kitchen.”
“Then someone has been in the house,” she announced in a dead tone.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course! I left the windows locked, stupid! Look about and see if all is in order.”
The detectives had worked as neatly as detectives can work, but the Misels found several traces of them. In one room a chair had been moved; in another a drawer had not been shut as close as Madame was confident she had left it; papers had been turned over in the desk, Misel was sure, although none were missing.
“Someone has been in the laboratory, too! Look at this crucible! I always place them so,—and this has been turned.”
The pair faced each other with despair on their countenances.
“What now?” they gasped.