“And the—killer, I assume, has not been apprehended.”
“Naturally not,” said Armand; and proceeded to explain the matter as the police viewed it.
“What do you think, now?” Dehra demanded, at the end.
A bit of a smile crept into Courtney’s face.
“I think,” he said, “that the only circumstance which relieves the police from utter imbecility is their not knowing that the valet had lied to the Royal Council as to the Book.”
The Princess’ finger tips began to tap the table, and the little wrinkle showed between her eyes.
“Don’t, my dear, don’t,” laughed Armand; “you can’t give the entire Bureau a grade in rank—and besides, they are not to blame. I called the Chief down hard yesterday, only to have him tell me it was the ancient and rigid custom never, except by special order, to investigate a crime that touched the royal household, nor to follow any clue which led inside the Palace. And I apologized—and instantly abolished the custom.”
“They were specially ordered to search for the Book of Laws,” the Princess insisted; “wouldn’t that lead them to Adolph?”
“Under their theory Adolph had nothing to do with the Book,” said Courtney.
“Just so,” the Archduke remarked; “and between their rotten theories and customs the business has been sadly bungled.”