When he reached the door of the Hôtel de Nesle he stopped for a moment, amazed not to hear the sound of hammering; the blackened walls of the château were mute and gloomy, as if no living thing were within. Twice the master rapped without obtaining a reply; at the third summons Scozzone opened the door.
"Ah, there you are, master!" she cried when she saw that it was Benvenuto. "Alas! why did you not return two hours earlier?"
"What has happened, in God's name?" demanded Cellini.
"The provost, Comte d'Orbec, and the Duchesse d'Etampes have been here."
"Well?"
"They made a search."
"And then?"
"They found Colombe in the head of the statue of Mars."
"Impossible!"
"The Duchesse d'Etampes carried Colombe home with her, and the provost ordered Ascanio to be taken to the Châtelet."