stry--six sharp."

* * * * *

Whilst Colonel Hofferman and Lieutenant de Loubersac were having their
talk, Jerome Fandor, who was also at the Elysee ball, in his own
proper person, was busying himself with the affairs which had led him
to consider that the murder of Captain Brocq was a crime which must be
imputed to one of those foreign spies with which France was now
swarming. At Verdun, along the entire frontier, there were nests of
these noxious vermin.

Fandor was, of course, still stationed at Verdun. He had arrived early
at the ball, hoping to pick up information from some friend as to how
the Second Bureau was taking the disappearance of Corporal Vinson. Did
the Second Bureau suspect anything?... What?... Had Nichoune's murder
been explained?

Fandor stationed himself near the entrance to the first
reception-room, watching all who entered, seeking the welcome face of
friend or acquaintance.

Someone slapped him on the shoulder.

"Hullo, Fandor! Are you reporting the official fetes nowadays?"

"You, Bonnet? What a jolly surprise! I have heard nothing of you for
ages. How goes it?"

"My dear fellow, good luck has come my way at last!... I am police
magistrate at Chalons! There's news for you!"

"By Jove, Bonnet! That is good hearing! You arrive here in the very
nick of time!"

"Old Bonnet at Chalons and police magistrate!" thought Fandor. "What a
bit of luck for me!"

"I want to ask the police magistrate of Chalons most interesting
things," said Fandor, smiling at his friend.

"Information for a report?" queried Bonnet.

"Just so."

Fandor drew his "old Bonnet" away from the crowd of eyes and ears
around them. They came on an empty little smoking-room. The very
place!

"Now tell me, my dear Bonnet, have you not been engaged on a recent
case--the death of a little singer, called."...

"Nichoune?... That is so. My first case at Chalons."

"Ah!... Now, just tell me!"

The examining magistrate shook his head.

"I cannot tell you much, for the good reason that this affair is as
mysterious as can be, and is giving me no end of trouble.... You knew
Nichoune, Fandor?"

"Yes--and no.... I would give a good deal, though, to know who her
murderer is!"

"I also," said Bonnet, smiling. "Would I not like to put my hand on
the collar of that individual!... Naturally, I want to carry through
the enquiry with flying colours!"

"Have you no idea as to who the murderer mi