No doubt, the Varin brothers were aware of that fact
and utilized one of Lacombe's safes in which to conceal the
letters....and other things, perhaps."
"But they did not live here," I said.
"Before you came, four months ago, the house had been vacant for
some time. And they may have thought that your presence here would
not interfere with them when they wanted to get the papers. But
they did not count on my husband, who came here on the night of 22
June, forced the safe, took what he was seeking, and left his card
to inform the two brothers that he feared them no more, and that
their positions were now reversed. Two days later, after reading
the article in the `Gil Blas,' Etienne Varin came here, remained
alone in this room, found the safe empty, and....killed
himself."
After a moment, Daspry said:
"A very simple theory....Has Mon. Andermatt spoken to you since
then?"
"No."
"Has his attitude toward you changed in any way? Does he appear
more gloomy, more anxious?"
"No, I haven't noticed any change."
"And yet you think he has secured the letters. Now, in my opinion,
he has not got those letters, and it was not he who came here on
the night of 22 June.
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