"And what conclusion do you draw from the fact that the crime is a crapulous one?" the magistrate proceeded to enquire.
"Merely that it cannot have been committed by Charles Rambert," Juve answered very gravely. "He is a young man who has been well brought up, he comes of very good stock, and his age makes it most improbable that he can be a professional criminal."
"Obviously, obviously!" murmured the magistrate, not a little embarrassed by the keen logic of the detective.
"And now let us consider the motive or motives of the crime," Juve continued. "Why did the man commit this murder?"
"Doubtless for purposes of robbery," said the magistrate.
"What did he want to steal?" Juve retorted. "As a matter of fact, Mme. de Langrune's diamond rings and watch and purse were all found on her table, in full view of everybody; in the drawers that had been broken open I found other jewels, over twenty pounds in gold and silver, and three bank-notes in a card-case. What is your view, sir, of a crapulous robber who sees valuables like that within his reach, and who does not take them?"
"It is certainly surprising," the magistrate admitted.
"Very surprising; and goes to show that although the crime in itself is a common, sordid one, the criminal may have had higher, or at any rate different, aspirations from those which would lead an ordinary ruffian to commit murder for the sake of robbery. The age and social position and personality of Mme. de Langrune make it very unlikely that she had enemies, or was the object of vengeance, and therefore if she was got rid of, it was very likely that she might be robbed—but robbed of what? Was there something more important than money or jewels to be got? I frankly admit that although I put the question I am at a loss how to answer it."
"Obviously," murmured the magistrate again, still more puzzled by all these logical deductions.
Juve proceeded with the development of his ideas.