"Quietly, Madame," said M. Matthieu reprovingly. And then, "Monsieur Horton, when you searched the room, what did you do?"
"What you would have done, Monsieur—I rushed down the stair and gave the alarm, watching the stair and waiting for the police. I am as mystified as you. If I could tell you any more I would do so."
Monsieur Matthieu tapped his eye-glasses thoughtfully and it was a long time before he spoke. And then,
"Where is Madame Horton?"
"I don't know."
"And Monsieur Quinlevin?"
"I don't know."
"You have no means of helping me to find them?"
"If I had I would tell you."
A pause. And then the Commissaire cleared his throat in an important manner.