Fandor eagerly took the paper from Elizabeth and proceeded to examine it. Yes, it certainly was a page torn from a note-book of medium size. An unknown hand had traced the following words in bold writing. The names succeeded one another in the form of a list.

Baroness de Vibray, April 3. Jacques Dollon.

Dep... idem.

Sonia Danidoff, April 12.

Barbey-Nanteuil, May 15.

Gérin...?

Madame B...?

Thomery, during May.

Barbey-Nanteuil, end May.

Fandor could not find anything more on the paper. Whilst Elizabeth sat silent, Fandor reflected.

Baroness de Vibray, April 3. Jacques Dollon... these correspond exactly with the commencement of this mysterious affair: the two first deaths, and the date of their death.... What does Dep signify? The initials of a name – or – yes, Dep . . . . Dépôt idem – yes, Dépôt the same day! That’s it! Sonia Danidoff, April 12... the full name, the exact date. Barbey-Nanteuil, May 15: the affair of rue du Quatre Septembre occurred May 20; that’s pretty near. Two more names, and one date which exactly tallies. Gérin? Madame B...? Who are they? Why no date? Ah, Gérin, lawyer of Madame de Vibray, a crime planned, without date, perhaps because he was not indispensable... and Thomery! Thomery, who died in the middle of May, as this plan indicates! But, how about the last line? Barbey-Nanteuil, end of May? Oh, beyond a doubt the bankers were to be victims of some fresh aggression on the part of the mysterious author of these lines! Barbey-Nanteuil, end of May! We are at the 28th of the month: only three more days before the sinister date falls due! Are they to be attacked, or is it their money? How to defend them? How to organise a trap for the rats?

Suddenly Fandor looked up, saw Elizabeth’s anxiety, and said quietly:

“Well, this list agrees in every particular with the description you gave me of it, and I don’t quite see what fresh information we are likely to get from it. However, will you leave it with me?”

Fandor rose.

“Ah, there is one point which has just occurred to me–” Fandor’s voice trembled a good deal – “Do you know for a fact if your brother had bought Thomery shares?”

“He had very few, three or four. I think the Barbey-Nanteuils got them for him.”

“And your brother had to pay for them by a certain date? “Yes.”

Fandor now felt he must tear himself away. He was deeply moved.

“Elizabeth!... Elizabeth!” he cried. “I swear to you we shall clear up these dreadful mysteries amidst which we live and move, you and I! Only have confidence, I implore you! Grant me a week’s grace, less even!” Fandor pressed Elizabeth’s hands as though he could never let them go.

Such little hands, and so dear!

It was not a farewell he took – it was a veritable flight, from the girl who now meant so much to him!