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oftheloser’sknowledgeoftherobber.”
“Yes,”repliedthePrefect;“andthepowerthusattainedhas,for
somemonthspast,beenwielded,forpoliticalpurposes,toavery
dangerousextent.Thepersonagerobbedismorethoroughlyconvinced,
everyday,ofthenecessityofreclaimingherletter.Butthis,ofcourse,
cannotbedoneopenly.Infine,driventodespair,shehascommitted
themattertome.”
“Thanwhom,”saidDupin,amidaperfectwhirlwindofsmoke,“no
moresagaciousagentcould,Isuppose,bedesired,orevenimagined.”
“Youflatterme,”repliedthePrefect;“butitispossiblethatsome
suchopinionmayhavebeenentertained.”
“Itisclear,”saidI,“asyouobserve,thattheletterisstill
inpossessionoftheminister;sinceitisthispossession,andnotany
employmentoftheletter,whichbestowsthepower.Withthe
employmentthepowerdeparts.”
“True,”saidG.;“anduponthisconvictionIproceeded.Myfirstcare
wastomakethoroughsearchoftheminister’shotel;andheremychief
embarrassmentlayinthenecessityofsearchingwithouthisknowledge.
Beyondallthings,Ihavebeenwarnedofthedangerwhichwould
resultfromgivinghimreasontosuspectourdesign.”
“But,”saidI,“youarequiteaufaitintheseinvestigations.The
Parisianpolicehavedonethisthingoftenbefore.”
“Oh,yes;andforthisreasonIdidnotdespair.Thehabitsofthe
ministergaveme,too,agreatadvantage.Heisfrequentlyabsentfrom
homeallnight.Hisservantsarebynomeansnumerous.Theysleep
atadistancefromtheirmaster’sapartment,and,beingchiefly
Neapolitans,arereadilymadedrunk.Ihavekeys,asyouknow,with
whichIcanopenanychamberorcabinetinParis.Forthreemonths
anighthasnotpassed,duringthegreaterpartofwhichIhavenotbeen
engaged,personally,inransackingtheD——Hotel.Myhonor
isinterested,and,tomentionagreatsecret,therewardisenormous.
SoIdidnotabandonthesearchuntilIhadbecomefullysatisfiedthat
thethiefisamoreastutemanthanmyself.IfancythatIhave
investigatedeverynookandcornerofthepremisesinwhich
itispossiblethatthepapercanbeconcealed.”
“Butisitnotpossible,”Isuggested,“thatalthoughthelettermay
