"And there was a noise of footsteps, walking about the room." "What room?
Where did these noises come from ?" said M.Formery.
"From the room over our heads--the big drawing-room," said the concierge.
"Didn't you hear any noise of a struggle, as if somebody was being dragged about--no screaming or crying ?" said M.Formery.
The concierge and his wife looked at one another with inquiring eyes.
"No, I didn't," said the concierge.
"Neither did I," said his wife.
M.Formery paused.

Then he said, "How long have you been in the service of M.Gournay-Martin ?" "A little more than a year," said the concierge.
M.Formery looked at the paper in his hand, frowned, and said severely, "I see you've been convicted twice, my man." "Yes, sir, but--" "My husband's an honest man, sir--perfectly honest," broke in his wife.
"You've only to ask M.Gournay-Martin; he'll--" "Be so good as to keep quiet, my good woman," said M.Formery; and, turning to her husband, he went on: "At your first conviction you were sentenced to a day's imprisonment with costs; at your second conviction you got three days' imprisonment." "I'm not going to deny it, sir," said the concierge; "but it was an honourable imprisonment." "Honourable ?" said M.Formery.
"The first time, I was a gentleman's servant, and I got a day's imprisonment for crying, 'Hurrah for the General Strike!'-- on the first of May." "You were a valet?
In whose service ?" said M.Formery.
"In the service of M.Genlis, the Socialist leader." "And your second conviction ?" said M.Formery.
"It was for having cried in the porch of Ste.

Clotilde, 'Down with the cows!'-- meaning the police, sir," said the concierge.
"And were you in the service of M.Genlis then ?" said M.Formery.
"No, sir; I was in the service of M.Bussy-Rabutin, the Royalist deputy." "You don't seem to have very well-defined political convictions," said M.Formery.
"Oh, yes, sir, I have," the concierge protested.

"I'm always devoted to my masters; and I have the same opinions that they have--always." "Very good; you can go," said M.Formery.
The concierge and his wife left the room, looking as if they did not quite know whether to feel relieved or not.
"Those two fools are telling the exact truth, unless I'm very much mistaken," said M.Formery.
"They look honest enough people," said the Duke.
"Well, now to examine the rest of the house," said M.Formery.
"I'll come with you, if I may," said the Duke.
"By all means, by all means," said M.Formery.
"I find it all so interesting," said the Duke,.