But I must hurry off and find the investigating magistrate, who is impatiently expecting me." Albert was beginning to recover a little from the stupor into which he had been plunged by the entrance of the commissary of police.
"Sir," he asked, "will you permit me to say a few words in your presence to the Count de Commarin?
I am the victim of some mistake, which will be very soon discovered." "It's always a mistake," muttered old Tabaret.
"What you ask is impossible," replied the commissary.

"I have special orders of the strictest sort.

You must not henceforth communicate with a living soul.

A cab is in waiting below.

Have the goodness to accompany me to it." In crossing the vestibule, Albert noticed a great stir among the servants; they all seemed to have lost their senses.