Tarleton turned to the Police Inspector with a shrug. “I must ask you to do your duty, after all, I’m afraid.”
The Frenchwoman turned red with excitement.
“But what does this mean? Have you seen the papers?” She produced an evening paper from her dress, one of those evening papers that come out early in the forenoon. “Here it is announced that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Slavonia honoured me by his presence here last night. My club is under royal patronage, you see, gentlemen. This is not an affair for the police.”
My chief had described Captain Charles as thorough. He showed his quality as soon as the angry woman had spoken. First setting a whistle to his lips, he stepped forward and placed a firm hand on her arm.
“I arrest you in the King’s name.”
CHAPTER VI
THE BOOKS OF THE DOMINO CLUB
It was at once evident that Sir Frank Tarleton had taken the measure of his opponent accurately. As soon as she felt the police officer’s touch Madame Bonnell’s confidence deserted her, and she collapsed in a state of mingled panic and bewilderment.
“Mon Dieu! But what have I done? What is it that I am accused of?” She looked imploringly from Charles to Tarleton and from him to me.
It was the Inspector who answered.
“Obstructing the officers of the law in the course of their duty is the charge at present. There may be others later on. Meanwhile I have to caution you that anything you say will be taken down and may be used in evidence against you.”