After interrogating all the witnesses of last night’s tragedy he could get in touch with, Jérôme Fandor returned to the Palais de Justice.

“All the same,” he confessed to himself, “I must admit that, up to the present, I do not know anything very definite about it. This Princess Sonia Danidoff has managed to get robbed in a most extraordinary way. At one o’clock in the morning, Havard declares that the thief can be none other than one of the guests, and thereupon every person present has to submit to being searched – an exhaustive search! Nothing comes of it. Then Bertillon arrives on the scene, and it seems he has obtained very distinct impressions of fingerprints. If they are as distinct as all that, the task of the police will be simplified; but, on the other hand, is it likely the guilty person will be so simple as to respond to the summons issued by the Public Prosecutor, a general summons issued to all Thomery’s guests to parade in Bertillon’s office for the fingerprint test?... Not he! Why, the moment he heard of it he would make for the train and cross the border!”

When his cab arrived at the Palais, Fandor uttered a big sigh of satisfaction:

“There are a good many things I am not clear about: let us hope Bertillon will give me some information.” The entrance to the anthropometric department was under the discreet observation of two detectives.

“Oh,” thought Fandor. “They think it probable there will be an immediate arrest, do they? We are going to have some complications, I foresee, in collection with the fingerprint ceremony!”

He sent in his card and a few minutes later found himself in the presence of Monsieur Bertillon.

“Well, what is it you want me to tell you? “ asked this famous forensics expert.

“Why, dear master, everything that took place last night! Is it true that you have summoned here all Thomery’s guests?... Have you obtained such perfect impressions that, in your hasty examination, you can be certain of identifying them with those of the persons who will pass through your office to undergo the test?”

Bertillon smiled:

“Ah, my dear fellow, you are of those who do not put much faith in the results of my tests for police purposes!

That, let me tell you, is because you are not acquainted with our procedure. The impressions I obtained are distinct – precise as can be: if an arrest is made before long it will be made on sure grounds.”

Fandor bowed:

“I accept your statement, dear master!... But, do be kind enough to tell me what happened after my departure?”

“Oh, nothing very extraordinary... Of course you know about the affair – how the Princess Sonia Danidoff was discovered?”