II: The Blue DiamondOn the evening of March 27, at number 134 avenue Henri–Martin, in the house that he had inherited from his brother six months before, the old general Baron d'Hautrec, ambassador at Berlin under the second Empire, was asleep in a comfortable armchair, while his secretary was reading to him, and the Sister Auguste was warming his bed and preparing the night–lamp. At eleven o'clock, the Sister, who was obliged to return to the convent of her order at that hour, said to the secretary:
"Mademoiselle Antoinette, my work is finished; I am going."
"Very well, Sister."
"Do not forget that the cook is away, and that you are alone in the house with the servant."
"Have no fear for the Baron. I sleep in the adjoining room and always leave the door open."
The Sister left the hou
