"I came hither," said Von Apsberg, "alone, because three men together are greater subjects of remark than two; for the same reason two are more subject to comment than one; therefore, let us separate, and walking down the quai meet at the place appointed."
The clock of the Hotel de Ville struck eleven, when the three friends met in rear of the Prefecture of Police. They followed strictly the directions of the anonymous letter. They discovered the back door and stood in its shadow, being concealed by an angle in the wall. They waited there. Carriage after carriage passed, and their hearts beat violently as each approached. The carriages crossed the quai but did not stop. At about a quarter after eleven came a carriage driven rapidly, but which relaxed its speed as it reached the quai de Orfevres; it then paused a few feet only from the angle of the wall where the Carbonari were concealed. The steps were let down and the person in the carriage descended and walked rapidly to the back door of the Prefecture. In spite, though, of his haste, the Carbonari could not but remark the stature, tournure, cloak, and bearing of the stranger. The door was opened. The three friends followed and were able to hear him say, "Count Monte-Leone."
"He—he—" said they.
"The scoundrel!" said Von Apsberg.
"The villain!" said D'Harcourt.
Taddeo hurried to the carriage which was on the point of leaving.
"All doubt is gone," said Taddeo. "The carriage is his."
"They are his horses," said d'Harcourt.
"It is his driver," said Von Apsberg. Then speaking to the man who, while surrounded by the three men, began to tremble, "Who is the person who came in the carriage?" said he.
"My master," said the automaton, more dead than alive. "The Count Monte-Leone."