“But ours was most minute.  We have been through every corner of the room.”

“And the garden, Monsieur le Prefet?”

“The garden also.”

“With the same care?”

“Perhaps not....  But I think—­”

“I think, on the contrary, Monsieur le Prefet, that, as the murderers passed through the garden in coming and going, there might be a chance—­”

“Mazeroux,” said M. Desmalions, “go outside and make a more thorough inspection.”

The sergeant went out.  Perenna, who was once more standing at one side, heard the Prefect of Police repeating to the examining magistrate: 

“Ah, if we only had a proof, just one!  The woman is evidently guilty.  The presumption against her is too great! ...  And then there are Cosmo Mornington’s millions....  But, on the other hand, look at her ... look at all the honesty in that pretty face of hers, look at all the sincerity of her grief.”

She was still crying, with fitful sobs and starts of indignant protest that made her clench her fists.  At one moment she took her tear-soaked handkerchief, bit it with her teeth and tore it, after the manner of certain actresses.

Perenna saw those beautiful white teeth, a little wide, moist and gleaming, rending the dainty cambric.  And he thought of the marks of teeth on the apple.  And he was seized with an extreme longing to know the truth.  Was it the same pair of jaws that had left its impress in the pulp of the fruit?

Mazeroux returned.  M. Desmalions moved briskly toward the sergeant, who showed him the apple which he had found under the ivy.  And Perenna at once realized the supreme importance which the Prefect of Police attached to Mazeroux’s explanations and to his unexpected discovery.

A conversation of some length took place between the magistrates and ended in the decision which Don Luis foresaw.  M. Desmalions walked across the room to Mme. Fauville.  It was the catastrophe.  He reflected for a second on the manner in which he should open this final contest, and then he asked: 

“Are you still unable, Madame, to tell us how you employed your time last night?”

She made an effort and whispered: 

“Yes, yes....  I took a taxi and drove about. ...  I also walked a little—­”

“That is a fact which we can easily verify when we have found the driver of the taxi.  Meanwhile, there is an opportunity of removing the somewhat ... grievous impression which your silence has left on our minds.”

“I am quite ready—­”

“It is this:  the person or one of the persons who took part in the crime appears to have bitten into an apple which was afterward thrown away in the garden and which has just been found.  To put an end to any suppositions concerning yourself, we should like you to perform the same action.”

“Oh, certainly!” she cried, eagerly.  “If this is all you need to convince you—­”