The two managers turned the pocket inside out.

THE POCKET WAS EMPTY.

And the curious thing was that the pin remained, stuck in the same place.
Richard and Moncharmin turned pale.

There was no longer any doubt about the witchcraft.
"The ghost!" muttered Moncharmin.
But Richard suddenly sprang upon his partner.
"No one but you has touched my pocket! Give me back my twenty-thousand francs! ...

Give me back my twenty-thousand francs! ..." "On my soul," sighed Moncharmin, who was ready to swoon, "on my soul, I swear that I haven't got it!" Then somebody knocked at the door.