"
"You explored the floors beneath the carpets?"
"Beyond doubt. We removed every carpet, and examined the boards
with the microscope."
"And the paper on the walls?"
"Yes.
"You looked into the cellars?"
"We did."
"Then," I said, "you have been making a miscalculation, and the
letter is not upon the premises, as you suppose.
"I fear you are right there," said the Prefect. "And now, Dupin,
what would you advise me to do?"
"To make a thorough re-search of the premises."
"That is absolutely needless," replied G--. "I am not more sure
that I breathe than I am that the letter is not at the Hotel."
"I have no better advice to give you," said Dupin. "You have, of
course, an accurate description of the letter?"
"Oh yes!" --And here the Prefect, producing a memorandum-book,
proceeded to read aloud a minute account of the internal, and
especially of the external appearance of the missing document. Soon
after finishing the perusal of this description, he took his
departure, more entirely depressed in spirits than I had ever known
the good gentleman before.
In about a month afterwards he paid us another visit, and found us
occupied very nearly as before. He took a pipe and a chair and entered
into some ordinary conversation.
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