They all three went. Mrs. Kesselbach, who had no key, rang. The door was answered by Suzanne, the other sister.
"Is Gertrude in?" asked Mrs. Kesselbach.
"Yes, ma'am, in her room."
"Send her down, please," said the chief detective.
After a moment, Gertrude came downstairs, looking very attractive and engaging in her white embroidered apron.
She had, in point of fact, a rather pretty face, crowned with red hair.
M. Lenormand looked at her for a long time without speaking, as though he were trying to read what lay behind those innocent eyes.
He asked her no questions. After a minute, he simply said:
"That will do, thank you. Come, Gourel."
He went out with the sergeant and, at once, as they followed the darkling paths of the garden, said: