Coming from the south, we might believe them to be warned by effluvia carried on the wind; coming from the north in time of _mistral_, that resistless sweeper of earth and air, how can we suppose that they had perceived, at a remote distance, what we will call an odour?
The idea of a flow of odoriferous atoms in a direction contrary to that of the aerial torrent seems to me inadmissible.
For two hours, under a radiant sun, the visitors came and went before the outer wall of the study.

Most of them sought for a long time, exploring the wall, flying on a level with the ground.

To see them thus hesitating you would say that they were puzzled to find the exact position of the lure which called them.

Although they had come from such a distance without a mistake, they seemed imperfectly informed once they were on the spot.

Nevertheless, sooner or later they entered the room and saluted the captive, without showing any great ardour.