The room was beautifully furnished.

Even one who knew more of saddles than of Buhl and Empire could see that at a glance.

Moreover, I noted that every ornament or handle of brass shone like gold.
"Madame's eyes have been here," thought I; "the clever eyes." Adjacent to the bedroom was the study, which the Vicomte had pointed out as being assigned to his secretary--adjoining as it did the room whither he himself retired at times--not, as I suspected, to engage in any great labours there.
While I was in my bedroom, the smart young Paris servant came in, looked carelessly at my trunks, and was for withdrawing, when I stopped him.
"Is it the buckles you are afraid of ?" I said.

"Beware rather of the strap." Therewith I threw my keys on the table before him and went into my study.

When I revisited my room later I found everything neatly placed within the drawers and the empty trunks removed.
There were upon my study table a number of books and papers, placed there with such evident intention that I took cognizance of them, judging them to be the accounts rendered by the Vicomte's various estates.