They also swore to support each other against all opposition.
However, Felicite, who had drawn near, abruptly inquired: "And Vuillet ?" At this they looked at each other.

Nobody had seen Vuillet.

Rougon seemed somewhat uneasy.
"Perhaps they've taken him away with the others," he said, to ease his mind.
But Felicite shook her head.

Vuillet was not the man to let himself be arrested.

Since nobody had seen or heard him, it was certain he had been doing something wrong.
Suddenly the door opened and Vuillet entered, bowing humbly, with blinking glance and stiff sacristan's smile.