The car swung round a sharp corner, and the inspector's amazement was interrupted by the sudden necessity of keeping his position. Monsieur Dupont continued slowly.
"But the monstrousness of this case is not that three people have been killed—but that three people have been more than killed. It is monstrous because we have none of the simple dignity of the primitive slayer, and all the morbid excesses of the modern despoiler. While it might be an entirely respectable thing to kill a woman to preserve her beauty, it is an entirely monstrous thing to kill her to destroy it. That is the only reason why the collector of beetles and butterflies is not the most cold-blooded of murderers. That is the only——"
"What in the name of all that's unholy," gasped the inspector, "are you going to say next?"
Monsieur Dupont leant forward as the car stopped, and opened the door.
"Next," he replied gravely, "I am going to inform you that we have arrived at Paddington, and request you to get out."
CHAPTER XXX
Monsieur Dupont's Task
He bought the tickets, and conducted the inspector to a train.