Maurice Leblanc

“ For all that, here is a murder well and duly added to our score against Master Lupin."
"The first," observed M. Lenormand.
"The first, yes.... But it was bound to come. You can't lead that sort of life without, sooner or later, being driven by circumstances to serious crime. Mr. Kesselbach must have defended himself...."
"No, because he was bound."
"That's true," owned Gourel, somewhat disconcertedly, "and it's rather curious too.... Why kill an adversary who has practically ceased to exist?... But, no matter, if I had collared him yesterday, when we were face to face at the hall-door..." ”

“ And M. Formerie in particular appeared utterly nonplussed:
"Still," he said, "I can see nothing that isn't quite simple. Lupin is the thief...."
"Why did he commit the murder?" M. Lenormand flung at him.
"In order to commit the theft."
"I beg your pardon; the witnesses' story proves that the theft took place before the murder. Mr. Kesselbach was first bound and gagged, then robbed. Why should Lupin, who has never resorted to murder, choose this time to kill a man whom he had rendered helpless and whom he had already robbed?" ”

“ And, marking off the stages of his investigation, in a tone as though he were enumerating so many victories over the stranger, he muttered thoughtfully:
"The accomplice... the telephone...the time of the murder... the sounds that were heard.... Good.... Very good.... We have still to establish the motive of the crime.... ”

“ This time, again, the denial was flat, blunt, almost impolite; so much so that the magistrate was absolutely nonplussed, dared not even raise a protest, and remained abashed in the presence of this strange collaborator. At last he said:
"We all have our theories. I should like to know yours."
"I have none."
The chief detective rose and, leaning on his stick, took a few steps through the room. ”

“ Edwards, the man-servant, at once identified the dagger as belonging to Mr. Kesselbach. He had seen it on the table on the previous day, before the assault committed by Lupin.
"Mr. Manager," said the chief detective, "the restriction is over. Gourel, go and give orders to leave the doors free."
"So you think that Lupin has succeeded in getting out?" asked M. Formerie.
"No. The perpetrator of the three murders which we have discovered is in one of the rooms of the hotel, or, rather, he is among the visitors in the hall or in the reception-rooms. In my opinion, he was staying in the hotel." ”

“ Kesselbach's restlessness, the expected visit of the Colonel and, lastly, the attack of which they had been the victims.
"Aha!" cried M. Formerie. "So there's an accomplice! And you heard his name!... Marco, you say?... This is very important. When we've got the accomplice, we shall be a good deal further advanced...."
"Yes, but we've not got him," M. Lenormand ventured to remark.
"We shall see.... One thing at a time..... And then, Mr. Chapman, this Marco went away immediately after M. Gourel had rung the bell?" ”

“ I am sure that the perpetrator of both the murders is still in the hotel."
"But then Chapman..."
"At this moment, I cannot guarantee that Chapman is still alive. In any case, it is only a question of minutes, of seconds.... Gourel, take two men and search all the rooms on the fourth floor.... Mr. Manager, send one of your clerks with them.... As for the other floors, I shall proceed as soon as we are reinforced. Come, Gourel, off with you, and keep your eyes open.... It's big game you're hunting!"
Gourel and his men hurried away. M. Lenormand himself remained in the hall, near the office. ”

“ And they are to fire, if necessary. Understand this, Gourel: if Chapman is not saved and if the fellow escapes, it means my resignation. I've been wool-gathering for over two hours."
He went up the stairs. On the first floor he met two policemen leaving a bedroom, accompanied by a servant of the hotel.
The passage was deserted. The hotel staff dared not venture into it. Some of the permanent visitors had locked themselves in their rooms; and the police had to knock for a long time and proclaim who they were before they could get the doors opened. ”

“ In the third room they found an elderly English maiden lady still in bed; and, in the fourth, an Englishman who was placidly reading and smoking and who had not been in the least disturbed by the noises in the passage. ”