Volume II Part 69 (2/2)
Fanfaro told him the whole story in a feords
In the meantime Gontram had learned froht flashed through his iano's remark, which Carmen had overheard, related to her He told Fanfaro about it, and they both resolved to examine Jane's room
”There must be a third exit,” said Fanfaro; ”both the vico anything about it We can begin our work now, and rant that we find some trail”
Thereupon Fanfaro, Gontram, and Bobi+chel went to the room Jane had occupied Gontram walked in advance, and soon all three stood in the beautifully furnished apartment Bobi+chel crawled into every corner, and raised the heavy carpet which covered the floor, to see if there were any secret stairs Then he got on top of Fanfaro's shoulders and knocked at the ceiling But all was in vain Nothing could be discovered
Suddenly Fanfaro's eye rested on a s near to the spot, he saw that a small piece of white silk had been pressed in an almost imperceptible crack
”Bobi+chel, your knife,” cried Fanfaro, breathlessly
”Master,” said Bobi+chel, enerally have a spring attached to theht,” replied Fanfaro, ”but how discover the spring?”
”I think,” re is under one of the small blue buttons hich the wall is decorated Let us search”
All three began to finger the numerous buttons, and finally Bobi+chel uttered a cry of triumph He had turned a button aside and a little iron door noiselessly swung itself on its hinges
”There is the secret way in which Jane and Spero have disappeared,”
cried Gontram; ”Jane has, no doubt, been abducted The piece of white satin in the crack ed to the bed-cover, for Madame Caraman told irl
Spero knew of this exit and probably had reasons for leaving the house secretly Let us go the same way, and perhaps we may find out where the vicomte is”
”So be it,” cried Fanfaro, ”and then, in Heaven's name, forward!”
Gontram had in the meanwhile sent a note with Coucou to Carmen
Each one of the three carried a three-arave forth illuminated the marble steps of a staircase
Gontram was the first to reach the top stair At the same moment a hollow noise was heard, and when the comrades turned around to find out the cause of it, they saw that the iron door had closed behind thee
”We cannot return,” said Fanfaro finally, ”therefore forith God's help”
CHAPTER XLII
THE TRAP
Madaerated when they said that the vicomte's condition after Jane's disappearance was terrible He rushed about irl a deep despair took hold of hireat, and when he saw the young girl lying wounded, alht of his intoxicated eyes Either he o under himself There was no third road for him
Madame Caraman's information that Jane had disappeared paralyzed hiht for and found at any price, even though the world be torn in pieces for it