There was a pause. Every one was thinking, seeking for arguments, for objections. At last, Valenglay exclaimed:
"My dear Lenormand, this is all quite excellent. You have convinced me. . . . But, taking one thing with another, we are no further than we were."
"What do you mean?"
"What I say. The object of our meeting is not to clear up a portion of the mystery, which, one day, I am sure, you will clear up altogether, but to satisfy the public demand as fully as we possibly can. Now whether the murderer is Lupin or another; whether there are two criminals, or three, or only one: all this gives us neither the criminal's name nor his arrest. And the public continues under the disastrous impression that the law is powerless."
"Give the public the definite satisfaction which it demands."
"But it seems to me that this explanation ought to be enough. . . ."
"Words! The public wants deeds! One thing alone will satisfy it: an arrest."
"Hang it all! Hang it all! We can't arrest the first person that comes along!"
"Even that would be better than arresting nobody," said Valenglay, with a laugh. "Come, have a good look round! Are you sure of Edwards, Kesselbach's servant?"