"Alas, once again that criminal has escaped! Fantômas, since it was Fantômas who was here, just now, Fantômas has got away!" And Nanteuil pointed to the broken window by which it would seem the criminal, taking advantage of the noise, had escaped.
But both Fandor and Juve shrugged doubtfully.
"You believe then, Monsieur Nanteuil, that Fantômas has left this room?" questioned our young journalist.
"What the devil do you mean?" asked Nanteuil.
Juve demanded.
"Which way did he make his escape?"
Nanteuil pointed.
"Why that way! By this window ... where else?... You can see quite well that he has broken the panes!... Why, look! His hooded cloak has got caught on the window latch!..."
Fandor lay back in an arm-chair. He seemed much amused. He silenced Juve with a gesture, and turned to Nanteuil.
"I can assure, dear Monsieur Nanteuil, that Fantômas has not left the room by this window!..."