But I take it that this is Guerchard's doing.

I'd better deal with him directly.

You two can go." He turned to Charolais and added curtly, "Show them out." Charolais opened the door, and the two detectives went out of the room with the slinking air of whipped dogs.

They went down the stairs in silence, slowly, reflectively; and Charolais let them out of the front door.
As they went down the steps Dieusy said: "What a howler! Guerchard risks getting the sack for this!" "I told you so," said Bonavent.

"A duke's a duke." When the door closed behind the two detectives Lupin tottered across the room, dropped on to the couch with a groan of exhaustion, and closed his eyes.