room at the hotel. They were to be delivered the following day before nine o'clock.
Then I took my departure. He escorted me to his door with a great show of politeness.
After that I called upon the commissaire central of the police of the city, to whom I related the story of the theft of my furniture and the discovery that I had just made. He immediately telegraphed the public prosecutor who had conducted the investigation of the robbery for full particulars, requesting me to await the answer. In an hour's time it came and was satisfactory to me in every respect.
"I am going to have this man arrested and examine him at once," he said to me, "for he may suspect something and take steps to get rid of your property. You had better go and get your dinner and come back here in two hours; I will have him here and will put him through another examination in your presence."
"I shall be glad to do so, sir, and I thank you with all my heart."
I went to my hotel and dined, and ate with a better appetite than I could have believed possible. I was well pleased with the turn affairs had taken. He was in custody.
Two hours later I returned to the police official, who was waiting for me.
"Well, sir," he said, as he caught sight of me, "we have not succeeded in finding your man. My men have not been able to lay hands on him."
Ah! I experienced a sickening feeling.
"But—you found his house, did you not?" I inquired.
