The count muttered a few more words; then suddenly rushed to the door and passed out. Not a word was uttered in his absence; and this profound silence gave the situation an air of almost tragic importance. Finally, the count returned. He was pale and nervous. He said to his friends, in a trembling voice:

“I beg your pardon⁠ ⁠… the revelations of the chevalier were so unexpected.⁠ ⁠… I should never have thought.⁠ ⁠…”

His wife questioned him, eagerly:

“Speak⁠ ⁠… what is it?”

He stammered: “The hole is there, at the very spot, at the side of the window⁠—”

He seized the chevalier’s arm, and said to him in an imperious tone:

“Now, monsieur, proceed. I admit that you are right so far, but now⁠ ⁠… that is not all⁠ ⁠… go on⁠ ⁠… tell us the rest of it.”