And he rang up the Prefecture of Police.
The Duke heard him report the crime and ask that Guerchard should be sent.

The official in charge at the moment seemed to make some demur.
The Duke sprang to his feet, and said in an anxious tone, "Perhaps I'd better speak to him myself." He took his place at the telephone and said, "I am the Duke of Charmerace.

M.Gournay-Martin begged me to secure the services of M.
Guerchard.

He laid the greatest stress on my securing them, if on reaching Paris I found that the crime had already been committed." The official at the other end of the line hesitated.

He did not refuse on the instant as he had refused the inspector.