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Aword from Monsieur Hanaud and a way would open. And an acquaintance, a friend
- for Jean Cladel lets him in andlocks the door behind him. But at that point
Frobishers conjectures halted.
Development followed too logically upon
development.
A couple of sergents - de - ville stood in front ofthe door. The
tablet looked as if it had been picked up from the road likeMonsieur Bexs
famous match - box.
Therewas no gleam of a knife, or a pistol, anywhere against
the darkbackground of the carpet. It seemed that to Hanaud this was the
mostextraordinary feature of the whole business. I shall go to the Prefecture,
said Hanaud. He clacked histongue against the roof of his mouth. I dont want to
show a light here yet with thatwindow open.
No one is going to do you any harm,
Hanaud continued, raising his voiceimpatiently.
For the house was as silent as
what, indeed, itis - a grave.
Aword from Monsieur Hanaud and a way would open.
Before the first of these breaks in the wall Hanaud stopped.
He rose to his
feet and walked once or twice across the room.
What in the world has this to do
with the affair?
This is that Monsieur Frobisher, he said.
And step bystep he
told the story as he read it, testing it by speaking it aloud. I think there is
someone against the wall who is honouring uswith his attention. What Jim saw
was a thin, small, barbed iron dart, with an iron stem. Thats where the knife
was wiped clean, said Hanaud.
Most certainly we willgive our attention to the
shutters and the window - sill.
But that promise I make now with my whole
heart, said Hanaudwarmly, and with a bow he moved away.
Tomake a solution of
that poison paste is not an offence.
I shall go to the Prefecture, said
Hanaud.
Hanaud put his fingers to his mouth, and whistled softly. Then his
manner, of burlesque dropped from him.
I think it will be found that this
murder was committed ina way peculiar to one man. Somehow it had leaked out
that, since this morning, Hanaud knewof Jean Cladel. Will you fetch the
Commissaireof the district and a doctor?
Monsieur Bex could not but
haverevelled in the correctness of their deportment.
A couple of sergents - de
- ville stood in front ofthe door.
I want you- how shall I put it so that I may
persuade you? Nicolas, I want you to wait here, said Hanaud. She gasped as she
looked at it,and then she read it again.
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