Monsieur de Marquet read it and uttered a half angry exclamation: "This is really too much!" he cried.
"What is it ?" asked the Chief.
"It's the card of a young reporter engaged on the 'Epoque,' a Monsieur Joseph Rouletabille.

It has these words written on it: 'One of the motives of the crime was robbery.'" The Chief smiled.
"Ah,--young Rouletabille--I've heard of him he is considered rather clever.

Let him come in." Monsieur Joseph Rouletabille was allowed to enter.

I had made his acquaintance in the train that morning on the way to Epinay-sur-Orge.
He had introduced himself almost against my wish into our compartment.

I had better say at once that his manners, and the arrogance with which he assumed to know what was incomprehensible even to us, impressed him unfavourably on my mind.