The body of Marthe Gobin had been removed to the mortuary of the town.

The life of the hotel had resumed its course.
"M.

Besnard has gone, I suppose ?" Hanaud asked of the porter; and, receiving an assent, he walked quickly out of the front door.
"But there is a shorter way," said Ricardo, running after him: "across the garden at the back and down the steps." "It will make no difference now," said Hanaud.
They hurried along the drive and down the road which circled round the hotel and dipped to the town.
Behind Hanaud's hotel Ricardo's car was waiting.
"We must go first to Besnard's office.

The poor man will be at his wits' end to know who was Mme.

Gobin and what brought her to Aix.
Besides, I wish to send a message over the telephone." Hanaud descended and spent a quarter of an hour with the Commissaire.
As he came out he looked at his watch.
"We shall be in time, I think," he said.