"It is more than likely that we shall be able to establish that fact," the subordinate observed, in a rather uncertain tone.
"How unfortunate," ejaculated his superior, "that we allowed him to slip through our fingers thus—and with the money actually upon him, too!"
"Yes," observed the Director of the Casino. "You have certainly to-night lost an excellent opportunity, messieurs. It is curious that neither of you noticed mademoiselle in the box talking with this mysterious individual."
"That was, I think, impossible," I remarked. "We sat quite back in the small alcove."
"What number was your box?" the Director asked.
"Fifteen."
"Ah, of course!" he said quickly. "There is, I remember, a kind of alcove at the back. You sat in there."
"Well," observed the chief detective, "no good can be done by remaining here any longer, I suppose, so we had better endeavour to trace this interesting person by other means. The fact that he has given up the proceeds of the crime is sufficient to show that he means to leave Nice. Therefore we must lose no time," and he glanced at his watch. "Ten minutes to two," he said. Then turning to his assistant, he ordered him to drive to the station to see whether the man who had worn the disguise of the night-bird was among the travellers leaving for Marseilles at 2.30. "Remain on duty at the station until I send and relieve you," he said. "There are several special trains to Cannes and to Monte Carlo about three o'clock, on account of the ball. Be careful to watch them all. It's my opinion he may be going to cross the frontier at Ventimiglia. I'll telephone there as soon as I get down to the bureau."
"Bien, monsieur!" answered the other.
As they went out, after wishing me good-night, I followed them, asking of the senior of the pair: