"Do not alarm yourself, my dear madame. It is your husband who is the thief, not I."
"What do you mean, sir!" cried Villebois indignantly, hardly knowing what he was saying.
"I can see it from here, papa," said Céleste, laughing. "It is hanging on your watch-chain."
There it was sure enough, and Villebois, looking very foolish, was obliged to release his watch before he could slip off the ring, which he handed to Madame.
"Villebois, mon ami," said Delapine, "will you oblige me by ringing the bell once more?"
"François," said Delapine solemnly, as the butler entered the room, "I am sorry to have to say it, but it is my duty to accuse you of stealing Monsieur Payot's pocket-book containing bank-notes to the amount of ten thousand francs."
"Me, sir!" replied François in astonishment. "Oh! monsieur, that is impossible."
"It is not impossible," replied Delapine severely. "You have it secreted on your person. I know it. Pierre, please lock the door, and put the key in your pocket. François, I must request you to allow Monsieur Payot to search you. If you refuse, I shall at once send for the police."
François grew deadly pale, and falling on his knees swore by the Holy Virgin and all the Saints that he was innocent.