Almost immediately the cry of, "Open, if you please," and the banging of the door apprised him that M.Tabaret had gone out.

He waited a few minutes and refilled his lamp.
Then he took a small packet from one of his bureau drawers, slipped into his pocket the bank notes lent him by his old friend, and left his study, the door of which he double-locked.

On reaching the landing, he paused.

He listened intently as though the sound of Madame Gerdy's moans could reach him where he stood.

Hearing nothing, he descended the stairs on tiptoe.