There must be absolute secrecy.
"All that is easy," replied La Couteau, "I understand perfectly, and you
can rely on me. I shall need a little time, however, and the best plan
will be for me to tell you of the result of my researches when I next
come to Paris. And if it suits you you will find me to-day fortnight, at
two o'clock, at Broquette's office in the Rue Roquepine. I am quite at
home there, and the place is like a tomb."
Some days later, as Mathieu was again at the Beauchene works with his son
Blaise, he was observed by Constance, who called him to her and
questioned him in such direct fashion that he had to tell her what steps
he had taken. When she heard of his appointment with La Couteau for the
Wednesday of the ensuing week, she said to him in her resolute way: "Come
and fetch me. I wish to question that woman myself. I want to be quite
certain on the matter."
In spite of the lapse of fifteen years Broquette's nurse-office in the
Rue Roquepine had remained the same as formerly, except that Madame
Broquette was dead and had been succeeded by her daughter Herminie. The
sudden loss of that fair, dignified lady, who had possessed such a
decorative presence and so ably represented the high morality and
respectability of the establishment, had at first seemed a severe one.
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