4. There were also found in the dressing-room two pairs of boots, one of which, though clean and polished, was still very damp; and an umbrella recently wetted, the end of which was still covered with a light coloured mud.
5. In a large room, called the library, were found a box of cigars of the trabucos brand, and on the mantel-shelf a number of cigar-holders in amber and meerschaum.
The last article noted down, M. Tabaret approached the commissary of police.
“I have everything I could desire,” he whispered.
“And I have finished,” replied the commissary. “Our prisoner does not appear to know exactly how to act. You heard what he said. He gave in at once. I suppose YOU will call it lack of experience.”
“In the middle of the day,” replied the amateur detective in a whisper, “he would not have been quite so crestfallen. But early in the morning, suddenly awakened, you know—Always arrest a person early in the morning, when he’s hungry, and only half awake.”
“I have questioned some of the servants. Their evidence is rather peculiar.”
“Very well; we shall see. But I must hurry off and find the investigating magistrate, who is impatiently expecting me.”
Albert was beginning to recover a little from the stupor into which he had been plunged by the entrance of the commissary of police.
“Sir,” he asked, “will you permit me to say a few words in your presence to the Count de Commarin? I am the victim of some mistake, which will be very soon discovered.”