"By the way, my good Sébastien," he said, "at what time did the tragedy take place which you have so graphically described to us?"
For a second or two Sébastien appeared to hesitate.
"Oh," he replied, "somewhere about six or seven o'clock, Monsieur. I couldn't say exactly."
"What made you wait so long, then, before you sent to Monsieur le Commissaire?"
"There was a little confusion in the house, Monsieur will understand. Monseigneur had given orders at once to send a courier over, but the grooms were at their supper, and it took a little time—we meant to send at once—the delay was unintentional."
"I am sure it was," broke in the commissary, who was still within earshot. "And now, Monsieur Fernand," he added, "I pray you excuse me. The hour is getting late, and I must make my apologies to Monseigneur."
"One moment, Monsieur le Commissaire," rejoined the Man in Grey. "Will you not at least question the other servants who came to Monsieur Sébastien's assistance?"
"No one came to my assistance," Sébastien assured him. "The whole affair was over in a moment."
"But when the shot was fired——"
"By the time some of the domestics arrived upon the scene, I had put out the fire. Then I locked the dining-room door. I knew Monsieur le Commissaire would not wish anything touched."