Juve hesitated some moments; then, without going into details, said: "It would take too long to recount the motives which prompted Loupart to write that letter. This Josephine whom you see to-day trembling at her lover's threat not so long ago supplied the police with valuable hints concerning him. Has he learned that? Does he know the woman has rounded on him? Did he fear, above all, that she would tell tales again here at the hospital? It is quite possible. You see he must have had very strong reasons for giving her the order to come home----" Juve here broke off, fingering Loupart's letter; then at length he placed it in his pocketbook. "I will keep this document, director; it is a tangible proof of Loupart's criminal intentions. If he should put his threats into practice it would be difficult after that to deny premeditation." "You think that such a thing is possible?" "Don't you?" "Loupart declares he will come to the hospital before three and kill his mistress, but surely it must be easy to render that impossible." "You think the police are all-powerful, that we can arrest would-be murderers and render them incapable of harm? That is an error. We are prevented from taking effective action by a swarm of regulations. If I met Loupart on the street I would not be able to arrest him. I have no warrant. When a man holds his life cheap and is determined to risk everything, he has a pretty good chance of succeeding. Of course I shall take every measure to prevent Loupart killing his mistress, but I'm not at all sure of success." "But M. Juve, we must have this girl Josephine transferred to another hospital if necessary." Juve shook his head. "And show Loupart we are aware of his purpose? Flatter the ruffian's vanity? No, we must let Loupart come, and catch him as he is about to commit the crime." "What do you propose to do?" "Study the hospital; arrange where to place my men," replied Juve. "In that case, I will do everything I can to help you." M. de Maufil rang for an attendant and bade him take Juve to Doctor Patel's department. Juve thanked the obliging director and took leave. The attendant pointed to a row of windows under the roof. "Doctor Patel's division begins at the corner window and runs to the window near the cornice." "What are the means of access to the female ward?" "Oh, that's quite simple, sir; you get into the woman's ward either by the door on the staircase or by the door at the back, which leads into the laboratory of the head physician, the room of the house surgeon on duty, and the departmental offices." "And how do visitors pass in?" "Visitors always go up the main staircase." "Now," said Juve, "show me over Doctor Patel's division." "Very good, sir. It will be all the more interesting to you, as it is just the visiting hour."