hard with all speed. The
Duke thanked him and rang off.

"That's all right," he said cheerfully, turning to the inspector. "What
time will M. Formery be here?"

"Well, I don't expect him for another hour," said the inspector. "He
won't come till he's had his breakfast. He always makes a good
breakfast before setting out to start an inquiry, lest he shouldn't
find time to make one after he's begun it."

"Breakfast--breakfast--that's a great idea," said the Duke. "Now you
come to remind me, I'm absolutely famished. I got some supper on my way
late last night; but I've had nothing since. I suppose nothing
interesting will happen till M. Formery comes; and I may as well get
some food. But I don't want to leave the house. I think I'll see what
the concierge can do for me."

So saying, he went downstairs and interviewed the concierge. The
concierge seemed to be still doubtful whether he was standing on his
head or his heels, but he undertook to supply the needs of the Duke.
The Duke gave him a louis, and he hurried off to get food from a
restaurant.

The Duke went upstairs to the bathroom and refreshed himself with a
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 Nature had given
the world the toothbrush as a model of what a moustache should be; and
his own was clipped to that pattern.

"The Duke of Charmerace, M. Formery," said the inspector.

The lit