in the chateau."

"How! nobody?" asked the mayor, surprised.

"I mean," said the groom, "that there is no one there but the master
and mistress. The servants all went away last evening by the 8.40
train to Paris, to the wedding of the old cook, Madame Denis. They
ought to return this morning by the first train. I was invited
myself--"

"Great God!" interrupted M. Courtois, "then the count and countess
remained alone last night?"

"Entirely alone, Monsieur Mayor."

"It is horrible!"

M. Plantat seemed to grow impatient during this dialogue. "Come,"
said he, "we cannot stay forever at the gate. The gendarmes do not
come; let us send for the locksmith." Philippe was about to hasten
off, when, at the end of the road, singing and laughing were heard.
Five persons, three women and two men, soon appeared.

"Ah, there are the people of the chateau," cried the groom, whom
this morning visit seemed to annoy, "they ought to have a key."

The domestics, seeing the group about the gate, became silent and
hastened their steps. One of them began to run ahead of the others;
it was the count's valet de chambre.