workshops,—in short, the city breathing," answered Joseph.
Monsieur had not spoken for some time, and seemed occupied with his own thoughts. Presently he said: "Listen to me a moment, What does that piece of white satin found in the cellar of the old stone house have to do with Madeline?"
"Her shroud was white," answered Joseph.
"What satin—what cellar—what stone house—what do you talk about?" inquired Irène.
Monsieur then related to her the discoveries of the police at the old stone house, which had been made while she was in Paris, of the finding of the body that had disappeared, of the heap of ashes, the piece of white satin, and of the dead dwarf.
"I saw this very small, ugly person in Doctor Satiani's office the morning of the day that we thought Madeline died," said Irène,
"In Satiani's office!" echoed Monsieur.
"Yes."
"I have not seen Satiani since my return," observed Joseph.
