Then quickly he questioned Horton and Piquette as to their visit and the exact circumstances of their discovery of the body. Horton was at a loss, but Piquette spoke rapidly and in a few moments had given the Commissaire a complete narration of their experiences from the moment they had climbed the stairs to the studio of Madame Horton.
"You say that you and this monsieur came to this room by appointment to meet Madame Horton at eight o'clock?" questioned the Commissaire.
"Yes, Monsieur."
"That you came up the stair and as the door was unlocked, you entered this room, finding it empty?"
"Yes, Monsieur."
"And the door to the apartment yonder was locked from this side and the key was in the lock as it is at this moment?"
"Yes, Monsieur."
"The rooms beyond, then, have not yet been entered?" he asked of the policeman who had come up at the first alarm.
"No, Monsieur le Commissaire."
"Bien. Then we shall enter at once."