cold bath. By the time he had bathed and dressed the concierge had a
meal ready for him in the dining-room. He ate it with the heartiest
appetite. Then he sent out for a barber and was shaved.

He then repaired to the pillaged drawing-room, disposed himself in
the most restful attitude on a sofa, and lighted an excellent cigar.
In the middle of it the inspector came to him. He was not wearing a
very cheerful air; and he told the Duke that he had found no clue to
the perpetrators of the crime, though M. Dieusy and M. Bonavent, the
detectives from the Prefecture of Police, had joined him in the
search.

The Duke was condoling with him on this failure when they heard a
knocking at the front door, and then voices on the stairs.

"Ah! Here is M. Formery!" said the inspector cheerfully. "Now we can
get on."




CHAPTER IX

M. FORMERY OPENS THE INQUIRY


The examining magistrate came into the room. He was a plump and pink
little man, with very bright eyes. His bristly hair stood up
straight all over his head, giving it the appearance of a broad,
dapple-grey clothes-brush. He appeared to be of the opinion that