“To get something to eat,” replied Wilson, quickly.
“Wilson, I must congratulate you on the accuracy of your deduction. I couldn’t have done better myself.”
Wilson blushed with pleasure, and Sholmes continued:
“To get something to eat. Very well, and, after that, probably, to assure himself whether I am going to the Château de Crozon, as announced by Ganimard in his interview. I must go in order not to disappoint him. But, in order to gain time on him, I shall not go.”
“Ah!” said Wilson, nonplused.
“You, my friend, will walk down this street, take a carriage, two, three carriages. Return later and get the valises that we left at the station, and make for the Elysée-Palace at a galop.”
“And when I reach the Elysée-Palace?”
“Engage a room, go to sleep, and await my orders.”
Quite proud of the important rôle assigned to him, Wilson set out to perform his task. Herlock Sholmes proceeded to the railway station, bought a ticket, and repaired to the Amiens’ express in which the Count and Countess de Crozon were already installed. He bowed to them, lighted his pipe, and had a quiet smoke in the corridor. The train started. Ten minutes later he took a seat beside the Countess, and said to her:
“Have you the ring here, madame?”