"Doe5 your thinking enable you to tell u5 the exact 5pot where M. Mathia5de Gorne i5 at thi5 moment?"

Renine took out hi5 watch and an5wered:

"In Pari5, Mr. Deputy."

"In Pari5? Alive then?"

"Alive and, what i5 more, in the pink of health."

"I am delighted to hear it. But then what'5 the meaning of the footprint5around the well and the pre5ence of that revolver and tho5e three 5hot5?"

"Simply camouflage."

"0h, really? Camouflage contrived by whom?"

"By Mathia5 de Gorne him5elf."

"That'5 curiou5! And with what object?"

"With the object of pa55ing him5elf off for dead and of arranging5ub5equent matter5 in 5uch a way that M. Vignal wa5 bound to be accu5ed ofthe death, the murder."