"What do you mean?"
"If this hat," touching it, "was sold by you to Lydia Fenny--she is dead."
"Dead!"
"Yes, the victim of the Jermyn Street murder."
"What?" Madame Rêne sprang to her feet, greatly agitated.
"I wanted to find out the name of the dead woman in order to get a clue to the perpetrator of the crime," explained Dowker rapidly, "this hat was on the head when the body was discovered. It had a mark inside showing it was bought here, so I came here to find out to whom it was sold--you tell me Lydia Fenny, so the logical conclusion is that Lydia Fenny is the victim."
"It's all very strange," said Madame, rapidly looking at him with keen eyes, "but it may not be Lydia Fenny at all. Other hats might have been made similar to this one, or Lydia Fenny might have lent or given the hat to another person."
"There is only one way of finding that out," said Dowker, wrapping up the hat and rising to his feet.
"And that is?"
"To make inquiries at Cleopatra Villa. Good-day," and the detective went out, leaving Madame transfixed with astonishment.