Rip immediately darted out of the room and pattered excitedly down the passage, as if searching for something, his sharp nose investigating the ground with a vehement attention.

The young men followed him.

He ran to the front door, then back into Valentine's bedroom; then, by turns, into the four other apartments--bedroom, drawing-room, bathroom and kitchen--that formed the suite.

The doors of the two latter were opened by Valentine.

Having completed this useless progress, Rip once more resorted to the passage and the front door, by which he paused, whimpering, in an uncertain, almost a wistful attitude.
"Open it!" said Julian.
Valentine did so.
They looked out upon the broad and dreary stone steps, and waited, listening.