Lupin reflected and, shaking his head:
"It will be difficult ... it will be difficult...."
"Difficult, yes, but possible and, therefore, certain...."
"Absolutely certain," said Wilson, as though he himself had clearly perceived the long series of operations which would lead his friend to the result announced.
Holmlock Shears smiled:
"Wilson, who knows what he is talking about, is there to confirm what I say." And he went on, "Of course, I have not all the cards in my hands, because the case is already a good many months old. I have not the factors, the clues upon which I am accustomed to base my inquiries."
"Such as mud-stains and cigarette-ashes," said Wilson, with an air of importance.
"But, in addition to the remarkable conclusions arrived at by M. Ganimard, I have at my service all the articles written on the subject, all the evidence collected and, consequently, a few ideas of my own regarding the mystery."
"A few views suggested to us either by analysis or hypothesis," added Wilson, sententiously.
"Would it be indiscreet," said Arsène Lupin, in the deferential tone which he adopted toward Shears, "would it be indiscreet to ask what general opinion you have been able to form?"