A woman's voice answered:
"Yes, Monsieur le Marquis. What can I do for you?"
"Kindly unpack the bag in my room and when you go out be sure to lock the doors. I don't want a recurrence of what happened the other day when some one entered my apartment and left a chemise belonging to the murderer among my laundry."
"Monsieur le Marquis may rest assured his orders will be obeyed."
In a few moments the Marquis returned and M. Wulf rose to go. He repeated with emphasis his determination:
"If ever I get the chance to arrest this murderer, I will do so in the face of any danger. All for the King! That is my motto!"
"Yes, you are right, Monsieur, all for the King."
The Marquis de Sérac bowed his visitor out, and then suddenly his smiling face underwent an astounding change of expression.
"I must clinch my alibi!"
In a moment he had torn off his false whiskers and his wig of white hair was quickly replaced by another—this time a woman's wig. With the agility of a Fregoli he then got into a skirt and waist.