ppearance of Thomery--only the
speculators, I should say. Suppose now that a Monsieur Tartempion had
bought Thomery shares at ninety francs. To-day these shares would not be
worth more than seventy francs: Tartempion loses money. But let us
suppose some financier speculates on the probable fall of Thomery
shares, and has sold to clients speculating on the rise of these shares;
these shares to be delivered in a fortnight, at a price of ninety
francs. If Thomery was still there, his shares would be worth, possibly,
the ninety francs, possibly more. In the first case, the financier's
deal would amount to nothing: in the second case, his deal would be a
deplorable one, because he would be obliged to deliver at an inferior
price, and would be responsible for the difference...."

"Whilst Thomery dead ..."

"Dead--no! But simply in flight, his shares fall to nothing, and this
same financier may buy at sixty francs which he must deliver at ninety
francs in fifteen days. In that case he has done excellent business."

"Excellent, certainly ... and ... tell me, my dear Marville, do you know
if there has been any such deal in Thomery shares on a large scale?"

"Ah! You ask me more than I can tell you now ... but that would be known
at the Bourse."

No doubt Jerome Fandor was going to continue his interrogation, but
there was a great disturbance in the editorial room near by. They were
shouting:

"Fandor! Fandor!"

The editorial secretary entered the Financier's room, and, catching
sight of Fandor, he cried:

"What's the meaning of this? What are you up to here? I told you this
Thomery affair was important.... Be off for the news as quick as you
can.... Here is the _Havas_. It seems they have just found Thomery's
body in a little apartment in the rue Lecourbe."

Fandor forced himself to appear very interested.

"Already! The police have been quick!... I also had an idea that that
Thomery had more than simply disappeared!"

"You had that idea?" asked the startled secretary.

"Yes, my dear fellow, I had--absolutely!"

After a silence, Fandor added:

"All the same, I am going out to get news. In half an hour's time, I
will telephone details of the death. Does the _Havas_ say whether it is
a crime or a suicide?"

"No. Evidently the police know nothing."

* * * * *

"Monsieur Havard, I am delighted to meet you!... Surely now, you will
not refuse me a little interview?"

"Not I, my de