"Then, my little lady, what if this surprise packet didn't turn off behind an arch of the Pont-Neuf! I didn't see what became of it—but no one will get it out of my head that it isn't some jolly dog who had no wish to show himself—that's what I think!"
The keeper paused, then went on:
"That's all I have to tell you, Monsieur Fandor ... it might serve for one of your articles some time or other ... only you mustn't say that I told you. I might get into trouble with my chiefs about it!"
Elizabeth Dollon was no longer listening. She had turned to Fandor, and with shining eyes murmured:
"He lives!... He lives!..."
Fandor thanked the keeper, and got rid of him. Directly the door closed on him he darted to Elizabeth:
"Poor child!" he cried, full of pity for her.
"Ah! Don't pity me! I don't need your pity now!... My brother is alive!... That man has seen him!"
Fandor had to undeceive her:
"Your brother is certainly dead," he declared. "If he were the individual in question, it would not have been yesterday morning, but the morning before that, when the keeper saw him; and I do assure you ..."