“And what has this Mr. Walcott to do with the crime, in your opinion?”

“Probably nothing, but he and Mr. Bryce used to be good friends. There was a falling out, and they saw nothing of each other for several months. Then Mr. Walcott appeared at Mr. Bryce’s apartment the day before he died. He was angry, shouting, waving a piece of paper, and saying, ‘You’ve let me down. You’re a liar,’ or similar words.”

“And how did you find out about this?” he asked, his eyes focused on the glass.

“The housekeeper told me,” I said. “I asked her who might have been to visit Mr. Bryce before he died and she mentioned Mr. Walcott’s name. So I acquired the glass.”

“To test for Mr. Walcott’s fingerprints? Presumably yours are also on the glass now?”

“Absolutely not. I picked it up with my handkerchief, taking care not to touch the places where he had been holding it.”

He was looking at me with a modicum of respect now. “That was a smart thing to do, if you were actually involved with this case, which you are not. I am sure you are a fine detective in your way, but I am telling you this: a murder investigation belongs to the Sûreté. It is no place for amateurs and you may well do more harm than good. You may alert a suspect that we have been watching him. Or, you may find that you are his next victim. So leave the detecting work to the professionals, madame, and enjoy your stay here in Paris.”

He got up, took out his handkerchief, and carefully wrapped the glass in it, then gave me a curt bow. “You say your husband is a policeman?” he asked as he walked toward the door. “Does he let you assist him in his criminal cases?”

“Of course not,” I said and he laughed.

“Wise man,” he said and walked out.

Chapter 34

Thirty-four

“Well?” Sid’s head came around the door the moment Inspector Henri had gone. “Have they arrested anyone yet?”

“Far from it,” I said as Sid came over to sit beside me. “I think they are completely in the dark.”

“But still looking for this supposed young Jewish man?” She frowned. “I hate being cooped up here, never knowing when the ax will fall.”

“I really think you’re worrying for nothing,” I said. “If anyone had seen you running to this address, the inspector would have questioned Mary. Had the place searched. But he hasn’t. If you want to know the truth, I believe he suspects me.”

“You? Why on earth would he do that?”

“Well, for one thing I was seen coming out of Mr. Bryce’s place this morning. And I’ve been showing too much interest in how he’s getting on toward solving the case.”