He quite understood what was required of him, but his professional pride, his independence and his innate honesty of purpose determined him to ferret out the truth regardless of consequences.
As a matter of fact, the presence of the King in Paris was, in part, to render a service to Juve himself.[2]
If, therefore, the hypothesis of suicide could be verified, Juve would be able to be of use to the King; if, on the other hand, it had to be rejected, his report would prove that fact.
On arriving at the Rue de Monceau, Juve went straight to the concièrge's office and having shown his badge, began to question her:
"Tell me, Madame Ceiron, did you see the King when he came to pay his visit to his mistress?"
"No, Monsieur. I saw nothing at all. I was in bed ... the bell rang, I opened the door ... the King called out as usual, 'the Duke of Haworth'—it's the name he goes by—and then he went upstairs, but I didn't see him."
"Was he alone?"
"Ah, that's what everyone asks me! Of course he was alone ... the proof being that when they went up and found poor Mlle. Susy, nobody else was there, so ..."
Juve interrupted:
"All right. Now, tell me, did Mlle. Susy d'Orsel expect any other visitor? Any friend?"