There was a sound as of muffled hammering, and then a noise, like the rasping of a file; and I thought I heard people moving about, but very cautiously." The duke and I were both listening attentively.
"I was frightened, and lay still a little; but then I got up--for the sounds went on--and put on some clothes, and came down--" "Why didn't you rouse the men?
It must be thieves." "I did go to the men's room; but their door was locked, and I could not make them hear.

I did not dare to knock loud; but I saw a light in the room, under the door; and if they'd been awake they would have heard." "Perhaps they weren't there," I suggested.
Suzanne turned a sudden look on me.

Then she said: "The safe holding the jewels is fixed in the wall of the duchess' dressing room.

And--and Lafleur knows it." The duke had heard the story with a frowning face; but now a smile appeared on his lips, and he said: "Ah, yes! The jewels are there!" "The--the Cardinal's Necklace," whispered Suzanne.
"True," said the duke; and his eyes met mine, and we both smiled.

A few minutes ago it had not seemed likely that I should share a joke--even a rather grim joke--with him.
"Mr.Aycon," said he, "are you inclined to help me to look into this matter?
It may be only the girl's fancy--" "No, no; I heard plainly," Suzanne protested eagerly.
"But one can never trust these rascally men-servants." "I am quite ready," said I.
"Our business," said he, "will wait." "It will be the better for waiting." He hesitated a moment; then he assented gravely: "You're right--much better." He took a pistol out of the drawer, and shut and locked the drawer.