“Even if we circulate his portrait amidst the force, within a few hours some man answering his description is sure to be arrested, sure to be released, and the affair will get wind and our Jack-o’-lanthorn will know that some one, not answering the description of Gyde, is being sought for, and he will say to himself ‘they have found out something, they suspect, perhaps they know,’ and he will dive, efface himself, never be seen again.
“I believe the use of ordinary methods against this person will be of no avail. We must trust to chance. And I have a strange belief, rather a sort of instinct, that the chance will come to us through the Lefarge case.”
He ceased, for at this moment a sergeant knocked at the door, bringing a broad sheet of paper on which was some writing.
He handed it to the chief and withdrew. It was a message from Boulogne and read:
“Boulogne-sur-Mer.
“Have received communication through Hamard. Will be at the Langham Hotel this evening at seven, bringing all evidence with me.
Cécile Lefarge.”
“The omen is good,” said the chief, with a slight smile.
Before Freyberger could reply the door opened and another officer appeared with a message. It was from the prefecture.
“Photograph sent by your agent identified as that of Wilhelm Müller, assassinated December 30, 18—, No. 110 Rue de Turbigo. Duplicate of photo has been in this office since the crime was committed.—Legendre, Chief of Identification Bureau, Prefecture of Police.”