"In a word, Frederick-Christian II went to see his mistress last night, she threw herself out of the window, the King was arrested for murder; he put in a denial, claiming that a third person was present, this third person escaped, an inadmissible hypothesis, since nobody saw him and the door to the servant's staircase was locked ... this morning the King was set at liberty, and we have now to find out whether a crime was really committed or whether it was a case of suicide.... Is that it?" "That is it! But you're going ahead pretty fast. You don't realize, Juve, the seriousness of the supposition you formulate so freely.... You must know whether it's murder or suicide! Of course! Of course!... but you are too precise.... A King a murderer ... that isn't possible. There would be terrible diplomatic complications.... It's a case of suicide.... Susy d'Orsel committed suicide beyond a doubt." Juve smiled slightly. "That has to be proved, hasn't it?" "Certainly it must be proved. The accident happened at number 247 Rue de Monceau. Go there, question the concierge ... the only witness.... In a word, bring us the proof of suicide in written form. We can then send a report to the press and stifle the threatened scandal." Juve rose. "I will begin an immediate investigation," he replied, smiling, "and M. Vicart, you may depend upon me to use all means in my power to clear up the affair ... entirely and impartially." When Juve had gone, M. Vicart realized a sense of extreme uneasiness. "Impartially!... the deuce!" Hurriedly he left his office and made his way through the halls to his chief, M. Annion. His first care must be to cover his own responsibility in the matter. M. Annion, cold and impassive, listened to his recital in silence and then broke out: "You have committed a blunder, M. Vicart. I told you this morning to put a detective on the case who would bring us a report along the lines that we desire. I pointed out to you the gravity of the situation." "But ..." protested M. Vicart. "Let me finish.... I thought I had made myself quite clear on that point and now, you actually give the commission to Juve!" "Exactly, Monsieur! I gave Juve the commission because he is our most expert detective." "That I don't deny, and therefore Juve is certain to discover the truth! It is an unpardonable blunder." At this moment a clerk entered with a telegram. M. Annion opened it quickly and read it. "Ah! this is enough to bring about the fall of the Ministry. Listen!"