"Certainly, I will wait in for you; au revoir," and the telephone ceased.
Roux at once informed Paul what Dr. Villebois had told him.
"My God, what a scoundrel," said Paul. "But the motive—the motive?"
"I am quite in the dark as to his motive, anyhow there can be no doubt as to the course we have to pursue," said Roux. "Let us go together to Villebois's house, and we will examine the professor and draw up a report together."
"I have changed my mind, Dr. Roux, I shall tell you everything when we see Villebois. This last piece of villainy has decided me. The criminal must be brought to justice. But what a misfortune that I have lost all that precious fluid."
"Well, never mind, old chap, Dr. Riche has quite enough left for us to test."
"Do you really mean it? Thank God for that. Let us go at once, there is no time to lose ... as the proverb has it 'Il faut battre le fer quand il est chaud.'"[15]
A few minutes later the two doctors might have been seen walking rapidly in the direction of Villebois's house.
Half an hour later Roux and Paul were ushered into the library, where Villebois and Riche were awaiting their arrival.
Villebois looked at least ten years older than he did a week ago. He was no longer the faultlessly attired active physician of yore, his dress was untidy and his face bore traces of sleepless nights and constant mental strain.