In all his long career such a thing had never happened before. In spite of the established rule, he had been deprived of his New Year holiday, which he usually spent in visits to governmental officials capable of influencing his advancement. He had been ordered to his office. His morning had been spent in endless discussions with M. Annion, his director. Numerous telegrams, interviews, work of all kinds instead of his customary rest. Besides, he had received from his friends only 318 visiting cards instead of 384, last year's number. It was most annoying. He was engaged in recounting his cards when a clerk announced the visit of detective Juve. "Send him in at once." In a few moments Juve entered. * * * * * Juve had not changed. In spite of his forty-odd years, he was still young looking, active, persevering and daring. For some time past he had been left very much to his own devices in his tracking of the elusive Fantomas, and he was rarely called in to assist in the pursuit of other criminals. Therefore he realized that it was an affair of the very first importance which called for his presence in M. Vicart's office. The detective found M. Vicart seated at his desk in the badly lighted room. "My dear Juve, you are probably surprised at being sent for to-day." "A little ... yes." "Well, you probably know that the King of Hesse-Weimar, Frederick-Christian II, has been staying incognito in Paris?" Juve nodded. He did not think it necessary to mention the incident that had occasioned this visit.[1] [Footnote 1: See "A Nest of Spies."] "Now, Christian II has, or rather had, a mistress, Susy d'Orsel, a demi-mondaine. Were you aware of that?" "No, what of it?" "This woman has been murdered ... or rather ... has not been murdered ... you understand, Juve, has not been murdered." "Has not been murdered, very well!" "Now, this woman who has not been murdered threw herself out of the window last night at three o'clock; in a word, she committed suicide, at the precise moment when Frederick-Christian was taking supper with her ... you grasp my meaning?" "No, I don't. What are you trying to get at?" "Why, it's as clear as day, Juve ... the scandal! especially as the local magistrate had the stupidity to arrest the King." "The King has been arrested ... I don't understand! Then it wasn't suicide?" "That is what must be established." "And I am to take charge of the investigation?" "I put it in your hands." When M. Vicart had explained the circumstances of the case, Juve summed up: