‘This. On that day M. Felix and I made an arrangement to purchase coupons in the Government lotteries. He handed me 500 francs as his share, and I was to add another 500 francs and put the business through. Naturally I noted the transaction in my engagement book.’ ‘Can you tell me under what circumstances this arrangement came to be made?’ ‘Certainly. It was the result of an otherwise idle conversation on the lottery system, which took place that afternoon between a number of men, of whom I was one, at the Café Toisson d’Or, in the rue Royale. At the close of the discussion I said I would try my luck. I asked Felix to join me, and he did so.’ ‘And did you purchase the bonds?’ ‘I did. I wrote enclosing a cheque that same evening.’ ‘And I hope your speculation turned out successfully?’ M. Le Gautier smiled. ‘Well, I can hardly tell you that, you know. The drawing will not be made till next Thursday.’ ‘Next Thursday? Then I can only hope you will have luck. Did you write M. Felix that you had actually moved in the matter?’ ‘No, I took it, that went without saying.’ ‘So that you have not communicated with M. Felix in any way since last Sunday three weeks?’ ‘That is so.’ ‘I see. Now, another point, M. Le Gautier. Are you acquainted with a M. Dumarchez, a stockbroker, whose office is in the Boulevard Poissonière?’ ‘I am. As a matter of fact he also was present at the discussion about the lotteries.’ ‘And since that discussion you made a certain bet with him?’ ‘A bet?’ M. Le Gautier looked up sharply. ‘I don’t understand you. I made no bet.’ ‘Do you remember having a discussion with M. Dumarchez about criminals pitting their wits against the police?’ ‘No, I recollect nothing of the kind.’ ‘Are you prepared, monsieur, to say that no such conversation took place?’ ‘Certainly, I do say it. And I should very much like to know the purport of all these questions.’ ‘I am sorry, monsieur, for troubling you with them, and I can assure you they are not idle. The matter is a serious one, though I am not at liberty to explain it fully at present. But if you will bear with me I would like to ask one or two other things. Can you let me have the names of those present at the Toisson d’Or when the conversation about the lotteries took place?’ M. Le Gautier remained silent for some moments. ‘I hardly think I can,’ he said at last. ‘You see, there was quite a fair sized group. Besides Felix, Dumarchez, and myself, I can recollect M. Henri Briant and M. Henri Boisson. I think there were others, but I cannot recall who they were.’ ‘Was a M. Daubigny one of them?’ ‘You are right. I had forgotten him. He was there.’ ‘And M. Jaques Rôget?’ ‘I’m not sure.’ M. Le Gautier hesitated again. ‘I think so, but I’m not really sure.’ ‘Can you let me have the addresses of these gentlemen?’