"
"No, no, it was on this shelf--nowhere else."
They lighted a candle, as the room was quite dark, and then carried
out all the linen and other articles that the room contained. And,
when the room was emptied, they confessed, in despair, that the
famous necklace had disappeared. Without losing time in vain
lamentations, the countess notified the commissary of police, Mon.
Valorbe, who came at once, and, after hearing their story, inquired
of the count:
"Are you sure that no one passed through your chamber during the
night?"
"Absolutely sure, as I am a very light sleeper. Besides, the
chamber door was bolted, and I remember unbolting it this morning
when my wife rang for her maid."
"And there is no other entrance to the cabinet?"
"None."
"No windows?"
"Yes, but it is closed up."
"I will look at it."
Candles were lighted, and Mon. Valorbe observed at once that the
lower half of the window was covered by a large press which was,
however, so narrow that it did not touch the casement on either
side.
"On what does this window open?"
"A small inner court."
"And you have a floor above this?"
"Two; but, on a level with the servant's floor, there is a close
grating over the court.
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