"Do you mean that? You've seen my name in Noël Dorgeroux's papers?"

"Yes, in the middle of a paper, without comment of any kind."

The speaker's excitement increased:

"Oh," he said, "can it be possible? If Noël Dorgeroux made a note of my name, it proves that he read a pamphlet of mine, a year ago, and that he believed in the explanation of which I am beginning to catch a glimpse to-day."

"What explanation?" I asked, somewhat impatiently.

"You'll understand, monsieur, you'll understand when you read my report."

"Your report?"

"A report which I am writing now, to-night. . . . Listen: I was present at both the exhibitions in the Yard and I have discovered. . . ."

"Discovered what, hang it all?"

"The problem, monsieur, the solution of the problem."