The Duke leant against the door and smoked on patiently.

He showed none of the weariness of a man who has spent the night in a long and anxious drive in a rickety motor-car.
His eyes were bright and clear; he looked as fresh as if he had come from his bed after a long night's rest.

If he had not found the South Pole, he had at any rate brought back fine powers of endurance from his expedition in search of it.
The inspector came back, wearing a disappointed air.
"Have you found anything ?" said the Duke.
"Nothing," said the inspector.
He came up the steps and hammered again on the door.

No one answered his knock.

There was a clatter of footsteps, and Henri and the locksmith, a burly, bearded man, his bag of tools slung over his shoulder, came hurrying up.