"How charming those French people are!" thought Wilson, who never shirked the opportunity of making an original observation.
"But time is money," cried the baron. "And yours especially, Mr. Shears. Let us come to the point! What do you think of the case? Do you hope to bring it to a satisfactory result?"
"To bring the case to a satisfactory result, I must first know what the case is."
"Don't you know?"
"No; and I will ask you to explain the matter fully, omitting nothing. What is it a case of?"
"It is a case of theft."
"On what day did it take place?"
"On Saturday," replied the baron. "On Saturday night or Sunday morning."
"Six days ago, therefore. Now, pray, go on."
"I must first tell you that my wife and I, though we lead the life expected of people in our position, go out very little. The education of our children, a few receptions, the beautifying of our home: these make up our existence; and all or nearly all our evenings are spent here, in this room, which is my wife's boudoir and in which we have collected a few pretty things. Well, on Saturday last, at about eleven o'clock, I switched off the electric light and my wife and I retired, as usual, to our bedroom."