And without a shadow of hesitation, for it seems to be the privilege
of police-agents to be at home everywhere, he crossed the parlor,
and reached Mlle. Gilberte's room just as she was withdrawing from
the window.

"Ah, it is that way he escaped!" he exclaimed.

He rushed to the window, and remained long enough leaning on his
elbows to thoroughly examine the ground, and understand the situation
of the apartment.

"It's evident," he said at last, "this window opens on the courtyard
of the next house."

This was said to one of his agents, who bore an unmistakable
resemblance to the servant who had been asking so many questions in
the afternoon.

"Instead of gathering so much useless information," he added, "why
did you not post yourself as to the outlets of the house?"

He was "sold"; and yet he manifested neither spite nor anger. He
seemed in no wise anxious to run after the fugitive. Upon the
features of Maxence and of Mlle. Gilberte, and more still in Mme.
Favoral's eyes, he had read that it would be useless for the present.

"Let us examine the papers, then," said he.

"My husband's papers are all in his study," replied Mme. Favoral.