That very evening he called and was told the count was not in; the day following he repeated the call, and the servant, as he had said at the trial, was suspicious, not recognizing him as one of his master's friends.
He called another evening, and, owing to the fact of there being a new servant, he was admitted into the count's room.

It was empty, although the gas was burning.

He saw the little ivory casket, and with one stroke of his strong, young hand, opened it.
There lay the letters, underneath a watch and ring.

He obeyed her; he did not lose one instant.

He emptied the casket, carried the letters to the lighted gas, and burned them! Just as he had raised the watch and ring in his hand to replace them, the door opened and the count, with his servant, entered the room..