Frank restrained any impatience he may have felt, although the man seemed beating about the bush in a baffling manner.
“How could that be?” he asked.
“You know in what peculiar manner the victims have died. On none of them has been found a mark of violence.”
“I know.”
“Yet you have believed they were murdered?”
“Yes.”
“That being the case, the crime must have been carried out in a remarkable manner.”
“Of course.”
“I took no interest in the Anti-Dreyfus League and the Black Brothers till I discovered that you had become involved, through your meeting with Edmond Laforce, the Duke of Benoit du Sault. Immediately on learning that, I began my investigations, and I have learned many startling things. How I learned them, it matters not. Let it suffice to say that I have ways of obtaining knowledge—ways unknown to other men. You did not know I was near, to guard you, when you were in great peril.”
“No; I thought you had disappeared completely, along with Martin Brattle.”