He understood the use of tools, and he now hastily selected such as he needed.

On the window-ledge stood a bunch of flowers which he had ordered for Paula the day before, and which he had forgotten to fetch this terrible morning.

With this in one hand, and the tools in the breast of his robe he hastened upstairs.
"Onwards, I must keep on!" he muttered, as he entered Paula's room, bolted the door inside and, kneeling before her chest, tossed the flowers aside.

If he was discovered, he would say that he had gone into his cousin's chamber to give her the bouquet.
"Onwards; I must go on!" was still his thought, as he unscrewed the hinge on which the lid of the trunk moved.

His hands trembled, his breath came fast, but he did his task quickly.