"Raymonde--is that you? Did you hear--?"

"Yes. So you're not asleep?"

"I suppose the dog woke me--some time ago. But he's not barking now.
What time is it?"

"About four."

"Listen! Surely, some one's walking in the drawing room!"

"There's no danger, your father is down there, Suzanne."

"But there is danger for him. His room is next to the boudoir."

"M. Daval is there too--"

"At the other end of the house. He could never hear."

They hesitated, not knowing what course to decide upon. Should they
call out? Cry for help? They dared not; they were frightened of the
sound of their own voices. But Suzanne, who had gone to the window,
suppressed a scream:

"Look!--A man!--Near the fountain!"

A man was walking away at a rapid pace. He carried under his arm a
fairly large load, the nature of which they were unable to
distinguish: it knocked against his leg and impeded his progress.
They saw him pass near the old chapel and turn toward a little door