The Chief of the Surete, who had arrived at the Glandier, joined us at that moment.
I was seated at Monsieur Stangerson's desk ready for work, when Monsieur de Marquet made us the following little speech--as original as it was unexpected: "With your permission, gentlemen--as examinations lead to nothing--we will, for once, abandon the old system of interrogation.

I will not have you brought before me one by one, but we will all remain here as we are,--Monsieur Stangerson, Monsieur Robert Darzac, Daddy Jacques and the two concierges, the Chief of the Surete, the Registrar, and myself.

We shall all be on the same footing.

The concierges may, for the moment, forget that they have been arrested.

We are going to confer together.