"I do, but mon Dieu, this is terrible," said Villebois, "We must send for the police at once, there's a crime here. It must be investigated at all costs." Villebois ran to the telephone and called for the police to come immediately, while the firemen, now satisfied that the fire was extinguished, proceeded to take the hose-pipe out of the house. In a few minutes they had departed, leaving Villebois and his guests alone in the house looking at one another and wondering what it all meant. Meanwhile Renée and Céleste, unable to control their anxiety, disobeyed Riche's instructions and ran back into the séance room where they met Riche bending over the professor. "What is the matter with Delapine?" they both cried with a look of terror on their faces. Riche looked very sad and distressed, but said nothing. "Oh! doctor, do tell me, is there anything the matter?" said Renée, staring at him with her great eyes wide open. "I am afraid so," said Riche in a subdued voice. "You don't surely mean--that he is dead?" Renée asked in a broken voice, becoming deadly pale. "Oh, doctor, tell me quickly, what is the matter?" "My poor girl--he is dead," he replied very solemnly. "What!--what did you say, doctor? Dead! no--no--it can't be true." Renée looked at his face half doubting, half believing, and then turning her face towards Delapine she flung her arms round him, and covered his face with kisses in an agony of grief. "Henri! Henri! come back, come back to me, oh my beloved!" and she burst into tears, while her whole frame shook convulsively. Céleste sobbed in sympathy, and even Riche, usually so calm, wiped away a tear. Villebois looked at Renée with a puzzled expression mingled with sadness. "Come, my poor little Renée," he said at length. "Wake up, my child; this grief will do you no good;" and he gently patted her head and kissed her; but Renée never moved.