"Basement? basement?" repeated the antiquarian, puzzled.
"Yes, through the cellar under your store."
"My dear young man, there are no cellars in New Orleans. The ground is too low, and there is water too near the surface."
Once more Matt and Dick began to feel that they were making a mistake in coming to M. Crenelette.
"Is there a room in this building that is inclosed with stone walls?"
"Ah!" and M. Crenelette's face brightened, "you speak now of the vaults of the old bank. They are on the second floor. I do not use the second floor, and it was rented, a few days ago, to an American gentleman. He has not moved in, yet. What interests you in the old vault?"
"We simply want to look it over," Matt answered. "Will you show us how to get up there? If the man who rented the place hasn't moved in yet I suppose there won't be any objection?"
"Certainly not. Come this way."
The Frenchman passed out the rear of his store and pointed to an open back stairway.