“Why did you not tell me that you had found on that piece of soap traces of my brother’s fingerprints? Why did you accuse me of having received a visit from him, when you yourself had proved that he was dead?” Fandor took Elizabeth’s two little hands in his and pressed them long and tenderly.

“My dear Elizabeth, when I engineered this theatrical stroke in the presence of the examining magistrate, in order to secure your arrest, believe me, I had no time to warn you of what I meant to do... Ah, if I could have warned you – but it would have only disturbed you to no good purpose; besides, your being really taken by surprise was a help – there could not be any idea of collusion.... Of course, you want the answer to this riddle? You shall have it – that is why I am here... Don’t you remember, Elizabeth, that on the evening before the fatal day, you told me that I had twice rung you up on the telephone? And that each time you answered the call you could not find me at the end of the line?... You cannot imagine what I felt when I heard you say that! I never telephoned! I never telephoned to the convent!

“My obvious conclusion was, that the individuals who, for some reason, did not wish to make themselves known, were trying to keep track of you, and to assure themselves that you were still at the convent, rue de la Glacière.”

Fandor’s voice trembled a little, as he went on:

“And I was at once afraid, my poor child, that these people who were pursuing you might be the very same who had got into Madame Bourrat’s house, and had tried to kill you... Ah, do you not see how greatly it hurt and troubled me to think that I had taken you to the convent, and had there placed you in security – as I thought – but where you were, in fact, far from being safe!”

Again Fandor took Elizabeth’s hands in his.

“You do understand now, dear child, why I had you arrested?... I felt you would be safe here. You see, I could not get your persecutors imprisoned and so prevent them from getting at you. To imprison you was the alternative: you are better guarded here than anywhere.” Elizabeth smiled a little smile when she saw how moved Fandor was.

“But,” she replied, “there is the other matter! You certainly told me that you were sure my brother was killed in prison – in his cell.”