"Exactly. He has been here several times with a woman he calls Anita. That's all I know about it. Anyway, what difference does it make since he didn't come to-night?"
"How do you know he didn't come? He had a key to the alleyway door, didn't he?"
"Yes, but I tell you he sent a petit bleu."
The detective shrugged his shoulders. "Some one has been here and locked this door on the inside. I want it opened."
"Just a moment," trembled Gritz. "I have a pass key to the alleyway door. We'll go around."
"Make haste, then," and they started briskly through the halls, the proprietor assuring M. Paul that only a single key was ever given out for the alleyway door and this to none but trusted clients, who returned it the same night.
"Only a single key to the alleyway door," reflected, Coquenil.
"Yes."
"And your 'tall blonde' has it now?"
"I suppose so."