For some time past he had been left very much to his own devices in his tracking of the elusive Fantômas, and he was rarely called in to assist in the pursuit of other criminals. Therefore he realized that it was an affair of the very first importance which called for his presence in M. Vicart's office.
The detective found M. Vicart seated at his desk in the badly lighted room.
"My dear Juve, you are probably surprised at being sent for to-day."
"A little ... yes."
"Well, you probably know that the King of Hesse-Weimar, Frederick-Christian II, has been staying incognito in Paris?"
Juve nodded. He did not think it necessary to mention the incident that had occasioned this visit.[1]
"Now, Christian II has, or rather had, a mistress, Susy d'Orsel, a demi-mondaine. Were you aware of that?"
"No, what of it?"
"This woman has been murdered ... or rather ... has not been murdered ... you understand, Juve, has not been murdered."
"Has not been murdered, very well!"