"Oh, thank you, monsieur! This way, Monsieur l'Inspecteur."
Inspector Loup gained the apartment of Jean Marot shortly after the united efforts of Dr. Cardiac and his amateur assistants had succeeded in producing decided signs of returning consciousness. The patient was breathing irregularly.
The police official entered the chamber, and, after a silent recognition of those present, looked long and steadily at the slight figure on the bed.
He then retired, beckoning Jean to follow him. Once in the petit salon, the inspector motioned the young man to a chair and looked him over for about half a minute. Whereupon Jean made a clean breast of what his listener practically already knew, and what he did not know had guessed.
"Bring me her clothing," said the inspector, when Jean had finished.
The young man brought the torn and soiled garments which had been removed from the girl.
Inspector Loup examined them in a perfunctory way, but apparently discovered nothing beyond the fact that they were typical charity clothes, which Jean had already decided for himself.
"Be good enough to ask Monsieur le Docteur to step in here a few moments at his leisure," he finally said.
As soon as Jean had his back turned the inspector whipped out a knife, slit the lining of the bosom of the little dress, and taking therefrom the letter addressed to himself, noted at a glance that the seal was intact, tore it open, saw its contents and as quickly transferred the missive to his pocket.
"Well, doctor," he gravely inquired, "how about your young patient?"