"None, whatever. He evidently knew exactly where to look for what he
wanted. Besides, he was probably anxious to get away as soon as
possible, as some one might have come in at any moment. It seems that
the only clue the authorities possess consists of a memorandum in
Dargental's handwriting which was found in the ante-room. The murderer
must have dropped it on opening the pocket-book, for the imprint of his
bloody fingers is visible on one corner of it."
"And what is this memorandum?"
"Robergeot would not tell me--Robergeot is the magistrate. He has great
confidence in me, as he has known me from my infancy; but he has a very
keen sense of professional duty, so that all I have been able to learn
is that the note in question may prove of great use in discovering the
criminal. I certainly hope the brigand will be apprehended, for if the
murder of my friend Dargental should go unpunished, I believe I shall
really die a year before my time, and that would upset all my
calculations, for I still have money enough left to last me thirty
months longer."
"Ah, yes, I forgot that you were a chronic consumptive," said George
ironically. "Poor fellow! However, if this is all you have to tell me--"
"Yes, for the time being; but I shall see Robergeot again, and I will
keep you well informed, though you don't seem to take much interest in
the affair. You are not like Puymirol. He knows that I am acquainted
with the magistrate, and he asks me every day how the investigation is
progressing. But speaking of Puymirol, are you aware that he lost five
hundred louis more at cards last night?"
"No, I just left him, but he said nothing to me about it," murmured
George, surprised and still more annoyed at this news. "Perhaps he has
not gone off yet. I am going to wait for him at the door."
"That means, you have had enough of my company, so I will leave you."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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