THE FAMILY ARRIVES In carrying out Victoire, the inspector had left the door of the drawing-room open.

After he had watched M.Formery reflect for two minutes, Guerchard faded--to use an expressive Americanism--through it.
The Duke felt in the breast-pocket of his coat, murmured softly, "My cigarettes," and followed him.
He caught up Guerchard on the stairs and said, "I will come with you, if I may, M.Guerchard.I find all these investigations extraordinarily interesting.

I have been observing M.Formery's methods--I should like to watch yours, for a change." "By all means," said Guerchard.

"And there are several things I want to hear about from your Grace.

Of course it might be an advantage to discuss them together with M.Formery, but--" and he hesitated.
"It would be a pity to disturb M.Formery in the middle of the process of reconstruction," said the Duke; and a faint, ironical smile played round the corners of his sensitive lips.
Guerchard looked at him quickly: "Perhaps it would," he said.
They went through the house, out of the back door, and into the garden.
Guerchard moved about twenty yards from the house, then he stopped and questioned the Duke at great length.