Above all, such was the opinion of the Suisse who renewed with growing
assurance his affirmations of a few moments before.
"I have not moved from the threshold of the house to-night," he said,
"and I should certainly have seen any person who passed out."
"Let us go into the house, then," said Lecoq. "But first let me ask
my companion, who is waiting for me in the street, to join me. It is
unnecessary for him to remain any longer where he is."
When Father Absinthe had responded to the summons all the lower doors
were carefully closed and guarded, and the search recommenced inside
the house, one of the largest and most magnificent residences of the
Faubourg Saint-Germain. But at this moment all the treasures of the
universe could not have won a single glance or a second's attention
from Lecoq. All his thoughts were occupied with the fugitive. He
passed through several superb drawing-rooms, along an unrivaled picture
gallery, across a magnificent dining-room, with sideboards groaning
beneath their load of massive plate, without paying the slightest
attention to the marvels of art and upholstery that were offered to his
view. He hurried on, accompanied by the servants who were guiding and
lighting him. He lifted heavy articles of furniture as easily as he
would have lifted a feather; he moved each chair and sofa from its
place, he explored each cupboard and wardrobe, and drew back in turns
all the wall-hangings, window-curtains, and portieres.
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