One of them slipped away hurriedly and returned with Monsieur Eperon the Chef de Police of Monaco and two of his satellites.
"Arrest them," cried the director in a loud voice, pointing to Renée and Delapine.
A moment afterwards the chief cashier of the bank came running into the room.
"Messieurs," he cried, "the bank is empty—not a sou remains in the coffers. Mon Dieu, what are we to do?"
The bank was really broken—for the first time in the history of the Casino.
The Administration formally declared the rooms closed, and Delapine and Renée were escorted to the police station, followed by the whole of their party together with Charley and Ridgeway who formed the rearguard. At length they entered one of the large rooms of the gendarmerie. Monsieur Eperon and two assistants sat down at a high table. Renée and Delapine stood in front of them while the directors stood around, and a whole crowd of witnesses filled the room behind.
The police took the names and addresses of the accused.
"Well, gentlemen, what is the crime you charge us with?" said the professor, drawing himself up to his full height, and looking at them with one of his commanding gestures.
"You are accused of cheating at the tables," said the Chef de Police.
"Cheating at the tables, what do you mean?"