"By chance," Monsieur Dupont replied.
"Did you know Copplestone before?"
"I did not. I had never seen him. I came with my friend, Tranter."
"You were here all the evening?"
"Yes."
"Anything to tell me?" the inspector asked, looking at him intently.
Monsieur Dupont smiled.
"Only, my friend, that I imagine you will find it an interesting and somewhat unusual case."
"That's not enough—from you," the inspector retorted.
"If I may be permitted to advise—it is a case in which you would do well to ignore the obvious."