“There isn’t a word of truth in it.”
“Ah! that old signora shall learn that I’m not to be made a fool of like this.”
“Let’s hurry, Bertrand.”
“What’s the matter, lieutenant? You seem anxious.”
“Yes. I’m afraid that the niece has made a fool of me too. Here have I been waiting for her in vain three hours and more at the other end of the city.”
“Ten thousand bullets! there’s something very crooked in this long excursion they made us both take. Didn’t I tell you, lieutenant, that the old woman made too many reverences?”
“Perhaps we are frightened without cause. But here we are. Knock, Bertrand.”
Bertrand knocked, but no one opened the door. He knocked again until the window panes rattled, and there was no response.
“What does this mean, lieutenant?” he cried, looking at Auguste.
“Why, it means that there’s no one here, that is very certain.”