I was standing outside the gate of the villa on duty where M.le Commissaire had placed me.

The car appeared at the corner and slackened speed.

It seemed to me that it was going to turn into the road and come down past me.

But instead the driver, as if he were now sure of his way, put the car at its top speed and went on into Aix." "Was any one inside the car ?" asked Hanaud.
"No, monsieur; it was empty." "But you saw the driver!" exclaimed Wethermill.
"Yes; what was he like ?" cried the Commissaire.
Perrichet shook his head mournfully.
"He wore a talc mask over the upper part of his face, and had a little black moustache, and was dressed in a heavy great-coat of blue with a white collar." "That is my coat, monsieur," said Servettaz, and as he spoke he lifted it up from the chauffeur's seat.

"It is Mme.