He wasn't worth the trouble, anyway." A sybil might have whispered in his ear that a very large fish had escaped his net, but Maurice continued, conscious of nothing save chagrin and a bruised knee.

He resumed the piecing together of events, or rather he attempted to; very few pieces could be brought together.

If Beauvais had the certificates, what was his object in lying to Madame?
What benefit would accrue to him?
After all, it was a labyrinth of paths which always brought him up to the beginning.

He drooped his shoulders dejectedly.

There was nothing left for him to do but return to the Red Chateau and inform them of the fruitlessness of his errand.