Villebois and the commissaire proceeded carefully to strip him, scrutinising each garment as they removed it with the utmost care.
"I see no marks of violence," said Biron as he examined the corpse from head to foot. "What makes you think that he has been killed? Can it not be a simple case of heart failure?" and the commissaire gave him a searching look.
"That is possible," replied Villebois, "but apparently not from natural causes."
"Then you mean to say that he really has been murdered?"
"I am sure of it."
"Be careful what you say, doctor. It is a very terrible statement to make, and you will have to be confronted with the Juge d'Instruction, who will compel you to prove it or suffer the consequences."
Dr. Villebois looked very frightened at the severe glances of Monsieur Biron, and twisted his fingers together nervously. "I have every reason to suspect it," he said in a tone of apology. "Have you examined his arms, monsieur?"
The commissaire looked at Villebois to see if he were joking with him, and being convinced of his earnestness, he took up each arm in turn and examined them with great care on all sides.
"I see nothing, nothing at all," he replied.