‘“Suzanne,” I said, “Madame has had to go to Switzerland suddenly and unexpectedly. She had to rush off to catch the train without proper time for packing, still, I hope she was able to take enough for the journey?” ‘The girl answered at once in a nervous, frightened tone. “I have just been to her room, monsieur. She has taken her fur coat and hat and a pair of walking shoes. The evening shoes she was wearing to-night are there where she changed them. She did not ring for me and I did not hear her go to her room.” ‘I had become somewhat calmer by this time, and I was thinking rapidly while she spoke. ‘“Ah, well,” I answered, “you had better pack some of her things to-morrow so that I can send them after her. She will be staying with her mother, and will no doubt be able to borrow what she wants till her own things arrive.” ‘François was still hanging about the corridor. I sent them both to bed and sat down to try and realise what had taken place. ‘I need hardly trouble you with my thoughts. For some days I was half crazed, then I pulled myself together. Suzanne I sent home, saying I had heard from Madame that she was employing one of her mother’s maids.’ M. Boirac paused. ‘That,’ he said at length, ‘I think is all I have to tell you, M. le Chef. From that awful evening until I saw your advertisement in the _Figaro_ a couple of hours ago, I have not heard a syllable from either my wife or Felix.’ M. Boirac had told his story simply and directly, and his manner seemed to bear the impress of truth. The statement carried conviction to his hearers, who felt their sympathy going out to this man who had acted so loyally to the wife who had betrayed him. M. Chauvet spoke,-- ‘Permit me to express to you, M. Boirac, our deep regret for what has happened and particularly for your having had to come here and make this painful statement. Still more we regret that the terrible _dénouement_ should make it almost impossible to keep the matter hushed up. Our search for the murderer has, of course, begun. We shall not detain you any longer, except to ask you to repeat a few names and hours so that we may note them to make your statement complete.’ M. Boirac bowed. ‘I thank you for your courtesy, M. le Chef.’ The Chief continued,-- ‘There is first of all your address. That we have on your card. Next--I shall put it in question form--What time was dinner?’ ‘Quarter to eight.’ ‘And what time did the message come for you from your works?’ ‘About a quarter to nine.’ ‘And you arrived there?’ ‘About nine-fifteen, I should think, I did not look. I walked to the Champs Élysées and took a taxi.’ ‘You said, I think, that you telephoned home then informing your wife that you could not return until very late?’ ‘I believe I did say that, but it is not strictly correct. I went to see the damage immediately on arrival, and was occupied there for some time. I should say I telephoned about ten o’clock.’ ‘But you unexpectedly got away about eleven?’