At all events, you have a clear conscience. Let us
suppose that you are the commissary of police and that you are
proceeding to make an inquiry concerning this affair----Yes, but
in order to do that, I require a clearer brain. Mine is muddled
like a ragout."
He tumbled into an armchair, with his clenched hands pressed
against his burning forehead.
* * * * *
The murder of the avenue Hoche is one of those which have recently
surprised and puzzled the Parisian public, and, certainly, I should
never have mentioned the affair if the veil of mystery had not been
removed by Arsene Lupin himself. No one knew the exact truth of
the case.
Who did not know--from having met her in the Bois--the fair Leotine
Zalti, the once-famous cantatrice, wife and widow of the Count
d'Andillot; the Zalti, whose luxury dazzled all Paris some twenty
years ago; the Zalti who acquired an European reputation for the
magnificence of her diamonds and pearls? It was said that she wore
upon her shoulders the capital of several banking houses and the
gold mines of numerous Australian companies. Skilful jewelers
worked for Zalti as they had formerly wrought for kings and queens.
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