The latter closed the front door behind them and led the way to François’s room. It was in darkness, but Boirac, entering before the others, turned on the light. ‘Come in and be seated, gentlemen, if you please,’ he said. ‘I should like a word with you before François returns.’ La Touche did not at all like the turn affairs were taking. Boirac’s conduct seemed to him to grow more and more suspicious. Then he reflected again that they were two to one, were armed, and keenly on their guard, and that there could be no cause for uneasiness. Besides, there could be no trap. Boirac had preceded them into the room. The manufacturer pulled together three chairs. ‘If you would kindly be seated, gentlemen, I would tell you what I want you to know.’ The detectives obeyed, La Touche still keeping his pistol turned on his host. ‘Gentlemen,’ went on the latter, ‘I owe you both a very full apology for having played a trick on you, but I am sure, when I have explained the extraordinary circumstances in which I am placed, you will hold me, if not justified, at least excused. And first, I must tell you that I know who you are, and on what business you came to Paris.’ He paused for a moment. Then, the others not replying, he continued:-- ‘I happened to notice your advertisement, M. La Touche, for Mlle. Lambert, and it set me thinking. And when I found, M. Mallet, that you and your friend were shadowing me, I thought still more. As a result of my cogitations I employed a private detective, and learnt from him the identity of both of you and what you were engaged on. When I learnt that you had found Mlle. Lambert, I guessed you would soon discover the typewriter, and sure enough, my detective soon after reported that you had purchased a second-hand No. 7 Remington. Then I had the carter, Dubois, shadowed, and I thus learnt that you had discovered him also. I have to compliment you, M. La Touche, on the cleverness with which you found out these matters.’ Again he paused, looking inquiringly and somewhat hesitatingly at the others. ‘Pray proceed, M. Boirac,’ said La Touche at last. ‘First, then, I offer you my apologies for the trick played you. I wrote the note which brought you here. I feared if I wrote in my own name you would suspect some trick on my part and refuse to come.’ ‘Not unnaturally a suspicion of the kind did enter our minds,’ answered La Touche. ‘It is but fair to tell you, M. Boirac, that we are armed’--La Touche withdrew his automatic pistol from his pocket and laid it on a table at his hand--‘and if you give either of us the slightest cause for anxiety, we shall fire without waiting to make inquiries.’ The manufacturer smiled bitterly.