“Arsène Lupin,” he said scornfully. “Arsène Lupin doesn’t leave traces all over the place. There’s nothing but traces. Are we going to have that silly Lupin joke all over again?” “I think, sir, that this time joke is the word, for this is a burglary pure and simple,” said the inspector. “Yes, it’s plain as daylight,” said M. Formery “The burglars came in by this window, and they went out by it.” He crossed the room to a tall safe which stood before the unused door. The safe was covered with velvet, and velvet curtains hung before its door. He drew the curtains, and tried the handle of the door of the safe. It did not turn; the safe was locked. “As far as I can see, they haven’t touched this,” said M. Formery. “Thank goodness for that,” said the Duke. “I believe, or at least my fiancée does, that M. Gournay-Martin keeps the most precious thing in his collection in that safe—the coronet.” “What! the famous coronet of the Princesse de Lamballe?” said M. Formery. “Yes,” said the Duke. “But according to your report, inspector, the letter signed ‘Lupin’ announced that he was going to steal the coronet also.” “It did—in so many words,” said the Duke. “Well, here is a further proof that we’re not dealing with Lupin. That rascal would certainly have put his threat into execution, M. Formery,” said the inspector. “Who’s in charge of the house?” said M. Formery. “The concierge, his wife, and a housekeeper—a woman named Victoire,” said the inspector. “I’ll see to the concierge and his wife presently. I’ve sent one of your men round for their dossier. When I get it I’ll question them. You found them gagged and bound in their bedroom?” “Yes, M. Formery; and always this imitation of Lupin—a yellow gag, blue cords, and the motto, ‘I take, therefore I am,’ on a scrap of cardboard—his usual bag of tricks.” “Then once again they’re going to touch us up in the papers. It’s any odds on it,” said M. Formery gloomily. “Where’s the housekeeper? I should like to see her.” “The fact is, we don’t know where she is,” said the inspector. “You don’t know where she is?” said M. Formery. “We can’t find her anywhere,” said the inspector. “That’s excellent, excellent. We’ve found the accomplice,” said M. Formery with lively delight; and he rubbed his hands together. “At least, we haven’t found her, but we know her.” “I don’t think that’s the case,” said the Duke. “At least, my future father-in-law and my fiancée had both of them the greatest confidence in her. Yesterday she telephoned to us at the château de Charmerace. All the jewels were left in her charge, and the wedding presents as they were sent in.” “And these jewels and wedding presents—have they been stolen too?” said M. Formery. “They don’t seem to have been touched,” said the Duke, “though of course we can’t tell till M. Gournay-Martin arrives. As far as I can see, the burglars have only touched these two drawing-rooms.” “That’s very annoying,” said M. Formery.