How Rouletabille, who had not spent half a second examining the general’s chamber, was able to be certain that all went well on that side, when it took Matrena — and that how many times a day! - at least a quarter of an hour of ferreting in all the corners each time she explored her house before she was even inadequately reassured, was a question.  If that dear heroic woman had been with him during this “instant information” she would have received such a shock that, with all confidence gone, she would have sent for Koupriane immediately, and all his agents, reinforced by the personnel of the Okrana (Secret Police).  Rouletabille at once rejoined the general, whistling.  Feodor and Ermolai were deep in conversation about the Orel country.  The young man did not disturb them.  Then, soon, Matrena reappeared.  He saw her come in quite radiant.  He handed back her keys, and she took them mechanically.  She was overjoyed and did not try to hide it.  The general himself noticed it, and asked what had made her so.

“It is my happiness over our first promenade since we arrived at the datcha des Iles,” she explained.  “And now you must go upstairs to bed, Feodor.  You will pass a good night, I am sure.”

“I can sleep only if you sleep, Matrena.”

“I promise you.  It is quite possible now that we have our dear little domovoi.  You know, Feodor, that he smokes his pipe just like the dear little porcelain domovoi.”

“He does resemble him, he certainly does,” said Feodor.  “That makes us feel happy, but I wish him to sleep also.”

“Yes, yes,” smiled Rouletabille, “everybody will sleep here.  That is the countersign.  We have watched enough.  Since the police are gone we can all sleep, believe me, general.”

“Eh, eh, I believe you, on my word, easily enough.  There were only they in the house capable of attempting that affair of the bouquet.  I have thought that all out, and now I am at ease.  And anyway, whatever happens, it is necessary to get sleep, isn’t it?  The chances of war!  Nichevo!” He pressed Rouletabille’s hand, and Matrena Petrovna took, as was her habit, Feodor Feodorovitch on her back and lugged him to his chamber.  In that also she refused aid from anyone.  The general clung to his wife’s neck during the ascent and laughed like a child.  Rouletabille remained in the hallway, watching the garden attentively.  Ermolai walked out of the villa and crossed the garden, going to meet a personage in uniform whom the young man recognized immediately as the grand-marshal of the court, who had introduced him to the Tsar.  Ermolai informed him that Madame Matrena was engaged in helping her husband retire, and the marshal remained at the end of the garden where he had found Michael and Boris talking in the kiosque.  All three remained there for some time in conversation, standing by a table where General and Madame Trebassof sometimes dined when they had no guests.  As they talked the marshal played with a box of white cardboard tied with a pink string.  At this moment Matrena, who had not been able to resist the desire to talk for a moment with Rouletabille and tell him how happy she was, rejoined the young man.