The man, whose name was Gustave Beudot, replied that he had closed the windows of five rooms on the previous day in accordance with his general instructions.
"At what time?"
"At six o'clock in the evening."
"And you noticed nothing?"
"No, sir."
"And, this morning . . . ?"
"This morning, I opened the windows at eight o'clock exactly."
"And you found nothing?"
He hesitated. He was pressed with questions and ended by admitting:
"Well, I picked up a cigarette-case near the fireplace in 420. . . . I intended to take it to the office this evening."