Besides, he had a way of expressing himself that left us guessing as to whether he was mocking us or not.

I know quite well that the 'Epoque' is an influential paper with which it is well to be on good terms, but the paper ought not to allow itself to be represented by sneaking reporters.
Monsieur Joseph Rouletabille entered the laboratory, bowed to us, and waited for Monsieur de Marquet to ask him to explain his presence.
"You pretend, Monsieur, that you know the motive for the crime, and that that motive--in the face of all the evidence that has been forthcoming--was robbery ?" "No, Monsieur, I do not pretend that.

I do not say that robbery was the motive for the crime, and I don't believe it was." "Then, what is the meaning of this card ?" "It means that robbery was one of the motives for the crime." "What leads you to think that ?" "If you will be good enough to accompany me, I will show you." The young man asked us to follow him into the vestibule, and we did.
He led us towards the lavatory and begged Monsieur de Marquet to kneel beside him.

This lavatory is lit by the glass door, and, when the door was open, the light which penetrated was sufficient to light it perfectly.

Monsieur de Marquet and Monsieur Joseph Rouletabille knelt down on the threshold, and the young man pointed to a spot on the pavement.
"The stones of the lavatory have not been washed by Daddy Jacques for some time," he said; "that can be seen by the layer of dust that covers them.