"The police! What the deuce do they want with me?"
"You'll soon find out," answered Michel. "Do you suppose we'd be making this row if we were criminals?"
Doubtless convinced by this reasoning, Doctor Chaleck decided at length to open his door.
"What do you want with me?" he repeated.
Juve quickly explained matters.
"We've just had a telephone message to say that some ruffians, possibly murderers, are in your house."
"Murderers!" cried Chaleck in amazement. "But whom could they murder? I'm living here alone."
At this assertion, Juve, Fandor and Michel looked at each other, mystified.
"Well, in any case we must search your house from top to bottom," said Juve, and added as an afterthought: "I suppose you are thoroughly satisfied that we come with honest intentions?"
Doctor Chaleck smiled: