And Mon. Dudouis left the room, accompanied by Madame Réal.
During the next ten minutes, Ganimard read and re-read the letter of Arsène Lupin. Monsieur and Madame de Crozon, Monsieur d’Hautrec and Monsieur Gerbois were holding an animated discussion in a corner of the room. At last, the count approached the detective, and said:
“My dear monsieur, after your investigation, we are no nearer the truth than we were before.”
“Pardon me, but my investigation has established these facts: that the blonde Lady is the mysterious heroine of these exploits, and that Arsène Lupin directed them.”
“Those facts do not solve the mystery; in fact, they render it more obscure. The blonde Lady commits a murder in order to steal the blue diamond, and yet she does not steal it. Afterward she steals it and gets rid of it by secretly giving it to another person. How do you explain her strange conduct?”
“I cannot explain it.”
“Of course; but, perhaps, someone else can.”
“Who?”
The Count hesitated, so the Countess replied, frankly: