“At any rate we can soon settle that.” The Chief turned to one of his assistants, both of whom had been standing behind him all the time, and said:
“Step out, Galipaud, and see. No, wait. I am nearly as stupid as this simpleton. Describe this maid.”
“Tall and slight, dark-eyed, very black hair. Dressed all in black, plain black bonnet. I cannot remember more.”
“Find her, Galipaud—keep your eye on her. We may want her—why, I cannot say, as she seems disconnected with the event, but still she ought to be at hand.” Then, turning to the porter, he went on. “Finish, please. You said 9 and 10 was the lady’s. Well, 11 and 12?”
“It was vacant all through the run.”
“And the last compartment, for four?”
“There were two berths, occupied both by Frenchmen, at least so I judged them. They talked French to each other and to me.”
“Then now we have them all. Stand aside, please, and I will make the passengers come in. We will then determine their places and affix their names from their own admissions. Call them in, Block, one by one.”
CHAPTER III
The questions put by M. Floçon were much the same in every case, and were limited in this early stage of the inquiry to the one point of identity.