the overturned furniture. We watched him in silence.
"Young fellow, you are giving yourself a great deal of trouble," said Daddy Jacques ironically.
Rouletabille raised his head and said:—
"You have spoken the simple truth, Daddy Jacques; your mistress did not have her hair in bands that evening. I was a donkey to have believed she did."
Then, with the suppleness of a serpent, he slipped under the bed. Presently we heard him ask:—
"At what time, Monsieur Jacques, did Monsieur and Mademoiselle Stangerson arrive at the laboratory?"
"At six o'clock."
The voice of Rouletabille continued:
"Yes,—he's been under here,—that's certain; in fact, there was no where else where he could have hidden himself. Here, too, are the marks of his hobnails. When you entered—all four of you—did you look under the bed?"
"At once,—we drew it right out of its place—"
"And between the mattresses?"
"There was only one on the bed, and on that Mademoiselle was placed; and Monsieur Stangerson and the concierge immediately carried it into the laboratory. Under the mattress there was nothing but the metal netting, which could not conceal anything or anybody. Remember, monsieur, that there were four of us and we couldn't fail to
68
