"This is ridiculous--preposterous!" cried M. Formery, beginning to
flush. "Here we're dealing with a most serious crime--a murder--the
murder of Victoire--and you talk about cats!"

"Victoire has not been murdered," said Guerchard; and his husky
voice was gentler than ever, only just audible.

"But we don't know that--we know nothing of the kind," said M.
Formery.

"I do," said Guerchard.

"You?" said M. Formery.

"Yes," said Guerchard.

"Then how do you explain her disappearance?"

"If she had disappeared I shouldn't explain it," said Guerchard.

"But since she has disappeared?" cried M. Formery, in a tone of
exasperation.

"She hasn't," said Guerchard.

"You know nothing about it!" cried M. Formery, losing his temper.

"Yes, I do," said Guerchard, with the same gentleness.