“Ah, but, Monsieur Fandor, here is something I do not understand, nor does anybody else!... No, they did not try to hide themselves – not in the least! They rang the bell; they asked to see me; they told me what they had come for; and, accompanied by my manservant, carried away the trunk, and had it put on the cab – all in the most open and bare-faced manner!”

“It was your manservant who accompanied them?”

“But most certainly... and that very fact turned against Jules, in a very nasty manner... Poor Jules! Just imagine, the police inspector finished by ordering my house to be thoroughly searched from top to bottom! And when the policemen returned, without a why or wherefore, they took Jules away to another part of the police station!”

“I say! I say!”

“Oh, it was all explained! As soon as Jules had gone, the police inspector told me that they had found keys in his room, keys which could be made to fit any kind of lock whatever. Monsieur Xavié was convinced that my poor Jules was a burglar – Imagine it!”

“And you, yourself, madame, are convinced of the contrary?”

“Oh, assuredly! Why, I have known Jules a very long time! And in many little ways, on many occasions, he has shown himself to be strictly honest.”

“But those false keys?”

“Those false keys, Monsieur Fandor, why I myself made Jules buy them, hoping to find among them one that would open my coach-house.”

“So that?”

“So that, Monsieur Fandor, the police inspector was obliged to agree with me that Jules was honest!”

“And he released this servant of yours?” asked Fandor.His tone expressed annoyance.

“No, and that is why I am so distressed. He said that provisionally, at least, my servant, Jules, was to be considered as under arrest! What ought to be done to get him let out?”“But, madame!... He will be set free tomorrow, you may be certain of it!”

“No doubt he will!... All the same, there is my house turned upside down, and I need Jules to help me tonight!... I really do not know what I shall do without him! Poor fellow!... I simply cannot imagine how it is they suspect him!” Fandor said, with mock gravity:

“Ah, madame, Justice is sometimes so stupid – so wrong-headed!... Look here now, would you like a bit of good advice?... Telephone to Messieurs Barbey-Nanteuil.

They are well-known and powerful – perhaps they would exert their influence in your servant’s favour? He might be set free this evening! I, you see, am but a journalist, and without a scrap of influence!”

Madame Bourrat thought this a good idea. Fandor rang for an attendant.

“Take madame to the telephone!”

Left to himself, the reporter could not help rubbing his hands.