Several witnesses said that the door of the room on the fourth floor was locked, with the key on the inside. Everything was silent when they got up there, and when they broke the door open, they saw nobody in the room.
The two windows were closed and fastened on the inside. The police have looked through the house very carefully - every room, every chimney, every corner - but they have found nothing. The witnesses do not agree about the time between hearing the voices and breaking open the door - some say it was three minutes, others say five minutes.
Alfonzo Garcia, cook
'I live in the Rue Morgue, but I come from Spain. I was too afraid to go upstairs, but I heard the voices arguing. The deep voice spoke in French, and the shrill voice was that of an Englishman. Yes, I'm sure. No, I can't speak English, but I know what it sounds like.'
Alberto Montani, fruit-seller
'I was one of the first up the stairs, and heard the voices - a Frenchman with a deep voice, saying something angry, and a shrill voice, which spoke quickly and unclearly. I think it was the voice of a Russian. Yes, I'm Italian. I've never spoken to a Russian person.'