Indeed, if she is at all implicated in this affair we shall learn more if we leave her free than if we keep her under lock and key.

You see that if we leave her quite free, but watch her very, very carefully, so as to awaken no suspicion, she may be emboldened to do something rash--or the others may." Mr.Ricardo approved of Hanaud's reasoning.
"That is quite true," he said.

"She might write a letter." "Yes, or receive one," added Hanaud, "which would be still more satisfactory for us--supposing, of course, that she has anything to do with this affair"; and again he shrugged his shoulders.

He turned towards the Commissaire.
"You have a discreet officer whom you can trust ?" he asked.
"Certainly.

A dozen." "I want only one." "And here he is," said the Commissaire.
They were descending the stairs.