I listen--no sound--not even of breathing! Ah!--if I only knew what was passing in the silence that is behind that door! I find the door locked and the key turned on the inner side.

And the murderer is there, perhaps.

He must be there! Will he escape this time ?--All depends on me!--I must be calm, and above all, I must make no false steps.

I must see into that room.

I can enter it by Mademoiselle Stangerson's drawing-room; but, to do that I should have to cross her boudoir; and while I am there, the murderer may escape by the gallery door--the door in front of which I am now standing.
"I am sure that no other crime is being committed, on this night; for there is complete silence in the boudoir, where two nurses are taking care of Mademoiselle Stangerson until she is restored to health.
"As I am almost sure that the murderer is there, why do I not at once give the alarm?
The murderer may, perhaps, escape; but, perhaps, I may be able to save Mademoiselle Stangerson's life.