"I gather that M. Gournay-Martin had the greatest confidence in
her," said the Duke.

"He'll have less now," said the inspector drily. "It's generally the
confidential ones who let their masters down."

The inspector and his men set about a thorough search of the house.
They found the other rooms undisturbed. In half an hour they had
established the fact that the burglars had confined their attention
to the two drawing-rooms. They found no traces of them; and they did
not find Victoire. The concierge could throw no light on her
disappearance. He and his wife had been taken by surprise in their
sleep and in the dark.

They had been gagged and bound, they declared, without so much as
having set eyes on their assailants. The Duke and the inspector came
back to the plundered drawing-room.

The inspector looked at his watch and went to the telephone.

"I must let the Prefecture know," he said.

"Be sure you ask them to send Guerchard," said the Duke.

"Guerchard?" said the inspector doubtfully.

"M. Formery, the examining magistrate, does not get on very well
with Guerchard."