"
"Pray tell me, my dear marquis," sighed Wilkie. "You would render
me an immense service by doing so."
M. de Valorsay seemed to reflect for a moment; and then he
solemnly exclaimed: "I should feel that my honor required me to
investigate every circumstance connected with this mysterious
affair. Before receiving a man's estate, one must know the cause
of his death, so as to avenge him if he has been foully murdered."
For M. Wilkie the oracle had spoken. "Such is my opinion
exactly," he declared. "But what course would you pursue, my dear
marquis? How would you set about solving this mystery?"
"I should appeal to the authorities."
"Ah!"
"And this very day, this very hour, without losing a second, I
should address a communication to the public prosecutor, informing
him of the robbery which is patent to any one, and referring to
the possibility of foul play."
"Yes, that would be an excellent idea; but there is one slight
drawback--I don't know how to draw up such a communication."
"I know no more about it than you do yourself; but any lawyer or
notary will give you the necessary information. Are you
acquainted with any such person? Would you like me to give you the
address of my business man? He is a very clever fellow, who has
almost all the members of my club as his clients."
This last reason was more than sufficient to fix M.
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