Czar betrayed no uneasiness.

Going to the front door, they knocked.
There was no answer save the sound of some one moving inside.
Again, the artist knocked vigorously.
The door opened, and a woman stood on the threshold.
Standing a little to one side, the men saw her features clearly, in the light from the room.

It was the woman with the disfigured face.
Conrad Lagrange was first to command himself.

"I beg your pardon, madam.
We live in the house next door.

We thought we heard a cry of distress.