"What did you do with the key on Tuesday ?" "I gave it to Helene Vauquier, monsieur, after I had locked up the garage.

And she hung it on a nail in the kitchen." "I see," said Hanaud.

"So any one could easily, have found it last night ?" "Yes, monsieur--if one knew where to look for it." At the back of the garage a row of petrol-tins stood against the brick wall.
"Was any petrol taken ?" asked Hanaud.
"Yes, monsieur; there was very little petrol in the car when I went away.

More was taken, but it was taken from the middle tins--these." And he touched the tins.
"I see," said Hanaud, and he raised his eyebrows thoughtfully.

The Commissaire moved with impatience.
"From the middle or from the end--what does it matter ?" he exclaimed.
"The petrol was taken." Hanaud, however, did not dismiss the point so lightly.
"But it is very possible that it does matter," he said gently.