But alas! a telephone call to the Pension Pizzicato informed them that Mrs. Belmire had left early that morning with Mr. Fetterstein in a high powered car. Destination unknown.
“Hum!” said the magistrate, “that makes it bad for you. We are willing to release you if you can prove an incontestable alibi. We don’t want any trouble here. But if you cannot we must hand you over to the French authorities.”
“Hold on,” said Hugh. “Fetterstein was there too, in the room.”
“You mean Monsieur Fetterstein, the multi-millionaire American?”
“Yes, the same.”
“Ah!” All three looked impressed.
“If only Monsieur Fetterstein would testify in your favour that would end the matter as far as you are concerned. He is well known to us and much esteemed.”
“But can’t you find him?”
“That might be hard. There is all France to search. Cannot your friends here hire a lawyer, get some one to help you,—a detective?...”
Hugh considered. “Perhaps Monsieur Krantz would help me.”