“If I may be allowed to say so–” he glanced at the magistrate for the required permission, which was given with a smile and gesture of assent – “I quite agree with Monsieur Jérôme Fandor. I also am convinced that, even if there is not a close connection between the Thomery affair and the Auteuil affair, at least there exists such a connection between the Auteuil affair and the terrible drama of rue Norvins.”

“I would go even further than that,” declared Monsieur Nanteuil. “The robbery of rue du Quatre Septembre, of which we are the victims, is also connected with this same series of mysterious cases.” The magistrate asked a question.

“It is a matter of twenty millions, is it not? It must have been a terrible blow to you?”

“Fearful, monsieur,” replied Monsieur Nanteuil.

“Our credit was shaken: it affected a considerable number of our clients, Monsieur Thomery among them, and we consider him one of our most important customers. You are aware, of course, that in financial matters confidence is almost everything!... Our losses have just been covered by an insurance policy, but we have suffered more than direct material losses. Still–” the banker turned towards Elizabeth, who was wiping tears from her eyes – “still, what are our troubles compared with those which have struck Mademoiselle Dollon blow upon blow? Assassination of the Baroness de Vibray, mysterious death–”

“The Baroness de Vibray was not assassinated: she committed suicide,” interrupted Fandor sharply. “Most certainly I do not wish to make you responsible for that, gentlemen; but when you wrote announcing her ruin, you dealt her a very hard blow!”

“Could we have done otherwise?” replied Monsieur Barbey, with his customary gravity of manner and tone. “In our matter-of-fact business, where all must be clear and definite, we do not mince our words: we are bound to state things as they actually are. What is more, we do not share your point of view, and are convinced that the Baroness de Vibray was certainly murdered.”

Monsieur Fuselier now expressed his opinion, or at least what he wished to be considered as his opinion:

“Gentlemen, consider yourselves for the moment as not in the presence of the examining magistrate, but as being in the drawing-room of Monsieur Fuselier. In my private capacity, I will give you my opinion regarding the rue Norvins affair. I am decidedly less and less in agreement with Monsieur Fandor, though I recognise with pleasure his fine detective gifts.”

“Thank you,” interrupted Fandor ironically. “That is a poor compliment!”

Smiling, the magistrate continued:

“I am of the same opinion as Messieurs Barbey-Nanteuil: I believe Madame de Vibray was murdered.” Fandor could not control his impatience.