“Well, gentlemen, I was now satisfied in my own mind that this was some artful attempt of his to communicate with the lady, and had she fallen in with it, I should have immediately informed you, the proper authorities.  But whether from stupidity, dread, disinclination, a direct, definite refusal to have any dealings with this man, the lady would not—­at any rate did not—­pick up the ball, as she might have done easily when she in her turn passed the table on her way to your presence.

“I have no doubt it was thrown there for her, and probably you will agree with me.  But it takes two to make a game of this sort, and the lady would not join.  Neither on leaving the room nor on returning would she take up the missive.”

“And what became of it, then?” asked the detective in breathless excitement.  “I have it here.”  M. Devaux opened the palm of his hand and displayed the scrap of paper in the hollow rolled up into a small tight ball.

“When and how did you become possessed of it?”

“I got it only just now, when I was called in here.  Before that I could not move.  I was tied to my chair, practically, and ordered strictly not to move.”

“Perfectly.  Monsieur’s conduct has been admirable.  And now tell us—­what does it contain?  Have you looked at it?”

“By no means.  It is just as I picked it up.  Will you gentlemen take it, and if you think fit, tell me what is there?  Some writing—­a message of some sort, or I am greatly mistaken.”

“Yes, here are words written in pencil,” said the detective, unrolling the paper, which he handed on to the Judge, who read the contents aloud—­

“Be careful.  Say nothing.  If you betray me, you will be lost too.”

A long silence followed, broken first by the Judge, who said at last solemnly to Devaux: 

“Monsieur, in the name of justice I beg to thank you most warmly.  You have acted with admirable tact and judgment, and have rendered us invaluable assistance.  Have you anything further to tell us?”

“No, gentlemen.  That is all.  And you—­you have no more questions to ask?  Then I presume I may withdraw?”

Beyond doubt it had been reserved for the last witness to produce facts that constituted the very essence of the inquiry.

CHAPTER XIII

The examination was now over, and, the dispositions having been drawn up and signed, the investigating officials remained for some time in conference.

“It lies with those three, of course—­the two women and the Italian.  They are jointly, conjointly concerned, although the exact degrees of guilt cannot quite be apportioned,” said the detective.

“And all three are at large!” added the Judge.

“If you will issue warrants for arrest, M. le Juge, we can take them—­two of them at any rate—­when we choose.”

“That should be at once,” remarked the Commissary, eager, as usual, for decisive action.