With the skill of an acrobat, he got into the lodge by an upper window which had been left open, and returned ten minutes later.

He said only, "Ah!"-- a word which, in his mouth, signified many things.
We were about to take the road leading to the chateau, when a considerable stir at the park gate attracted our attention.

A carriage had arrived and some people had come from the chateau to meet it.
Rouletabille pointed out to me a gentleman who descended from it.
"That's the Chief of the Surete" he said.

"Now we shall see what Frederic Larsan has up his sleeve, and whether he is so much cleverer than anybody else." The carriage of the Chief of the Surete was followed by three other vehicles containing reporters, who were also desirous of entering the park.

But two gendarmes stationed at the gate had evidently received orders to refuse admission to anybody.