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revealed to him? There was no answer to these questions. But, at the last moment, an incident occurred that appeared to us of considerable importance. As two policemen were raising the body to place it on a stretcher, the left hand thus being disturbed, a crumpled card fell from it. The card bore these words: "Georges Andermatt, 37 Rue de Berry." What did that mean? Georges Andermatt was a rich banker in Paris, the founder and president of the Metal Exchange which had given such an impulse to the metallic industries in France. He lived in princely style; was the possessor of numerous automobiles, coaches, and an expensive racing-stable. His social affairs were very select, and Madame Andermatt was noted for her grace and beauty. "Can that be the man's name?" I asked. --------------- The chief of the Surete leaned over him. "It is not he. Mon. Andermatt is a thin man, and slightly grey." "But why this card?" "Have you a telephone, monsieur?" "Yes, in the vestibule. Come with me." He looked in the directory, and then asked for number 415.21. "Is Mon. Andermatt at home?....Please tell him that Mon. Dudouis wished him to come at once to 102 Boulevard Maillot. Very important." Twenty minutes later, Mon. Andermatt arrived in his automobile. After the circumstances had been explained to him, he was taken in to see the corpse. He displayed considerable emotion, and spoke, in a low tone, and apparently unwillingly: "Etienne Varin," he said. "You know him?" "No.... or, at least, yes.... by sight only. His brother...." "Ah! he has a brother?" "Yes, Alfred Varin. He came to see me once on some matter of business....I forget what it was." "Where does he live?" "The two brothers live together--rue de Provence, I think." "Do you know any reason why he should commit suicide?" "None." "He held a card in his hand. It was your card with your address." "I do not understand that. It must have been there by some chance that will be disclosed by the investigation." A very strange chance, I thought; and I felt that the others entertained the same impression. I discovered the same impression in the papers next day, and amongst all my friends with whom I discussed the affair. Amid the mysteries that enveloped it, after the double discovery of the seven of hearts pierced with seven holes, after the two inscrutable events that had happened in my house, that visiting card promised to throw some li
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