“But M. Gournay-Martin particularly asked me to send for Guerchard if I arrived too late to prevent the burglary. He would never forgive me if I had neglected his request: so I telephoned for him—to the Prefecture of Police,” said the Duke.
“Oh, well, if you’ve already telephoned for him. But it was unnecessary—absolutely unnecessary,” said M. Formery sharply.
“I didn’t know,” said the Duke politely.
“Oh, there was no harm in it—it doesn’t matter,” said M. Formery in a discontented tone with a discontented air.
He walked slowly round the room, paused by the windows, looked at the ladder, and scanned the garden:
“Arsène Lupin,” he said scornfully. “Arsène Lupin doesn’t leave traces all over the place. There’s nothing but traces. Are we going to have that silly Lupin joke all over again?”
“I think, sir, that this time joke is the word, for this is a burglary pure and simple,” said the inspector.
“Yes, it’s plain as daylight,” said M. Formery “The burglars came in by this window, and they went out by it.”
He crossed the room to a tall safe which stood before the unused door. The safe was covered with velvet, and velvet curtains hung before its door. He drew the curtains, and tried the handle of the door of the safe. It did not turn; the safe was locked.
“As far as I can see, they haven’t touched this,” said M. Formery.