‘No, monsieur, it was taken by one of our own motor lorries from the Grenelle works.’
‘Did you know the driver?’
‘Yes, monsieur, it was Jules Fouchard.’
‘I suppose, monsieur,’ Lefarge turned to the managing director, ‘we could interview this man Fouchard?’
‘Why, certainly. M. Thomas will find out where he is.’
‘Pardon, messieurs,’ interposed the elderly packer, ‘but he’s here now. Or at least I saw him not ten minutes ago.’
‘Good. Then try and find him, and tell him not to go away till we have seen him.’
In a few moments the driver was found and, having asked him to wait outside, Lefarge continued his questions to the packer.
‘At what o’clock did the cask leave here?’
‘About four. I had it packed and ready by two, but the lorry did not come for a couple of hours after that.’