A light wooden gate, clumsily held in its place by pieces of wire, gave access to the garden.
"It is here," said the women.
The commissary stopped.

During his short walk, the number of his followers had been rapidly increasing, and now included all the inquisitive and idle persons of the neighbourhood.

He found himself surrounded by about forty individuals burning with curiosity.
"No one must enter the garden," said he; and, to ensure obedience, he placed the two gendarmes on sentry before the entrance, and advanced towards the house, accompanied by the corporal and the locksmith.
He knocked several times loudly with his leaded cane, first at the door, and then successively at all the window shutters.

After each blow, he placed his ear against the wood and listened.

Hearing nothing, he turned to the locksmith.
"Open!" said he.
The workman unstrapped his satchel, and produced his implements.