“Come away,” he whispered to Prosper, “the cur will do as he says; and,
alarm once given, farewell to our projects. We must find some other
entrance than by this gate.”
They then went along the wall surrounding the garden, in search of a
place where it was possible to climb up.
This was difficult to discover, the wall being twelve feet high, and the
night very dark. Fortunately, M. Verduret was very agile; and, having
decided upon the spot to be scaled, he drew back a few feet, and making
a sudden spring, seized one of the projecting stones above him, and,
drawing himself up by aid of his hands and feet, soon found himself on
top of the wall.
It was now Prosper’s turn to climb up; but, though much younger than
his companion, he had not his agility and strength, and would never have
succeeded if M. Verduret had not pulled him up, and then helped him down
on the other side.
Once in the garden, M. Verduret looked about him to study the situation.
The house occupied by M. de Lagors was built in the middle of an immense
garden. It was narrow, two stories high, and with garrets.
Only one window, in the second story, was lighted.
“As you have often been here,” said M. Verduret, “you must know all
about the arrangement of the house: what room is that where we see the
light?”
“That is Raoul’s bed-chamber.”
“Very good. What rooms are on the first floor?”
“The kitchen, pantry, billiard-room, and dining-room.”
“And on the floor above?”
“Two drawing-rooms separated by folding doors, and a library.”
“Where do the servants sleep?”
“Raoul has none at present. He is waited on by a man and his wife, who
live at Vesinet; they come in the morning, and leave after dinner.”