got him! . . . At last I'm going to nab him.' But I've said that day after day," said Guerchard; and he paused.
"Well?" said the Duke.
"Well, the days pass; and I never nab him. Oh, he is thick, I tell you. . . . He's a joker, he is . . . a regular artist"—he ground his teeth—"The damned thief!"
The Duke looked at him, and said slowly, "Then you think that to-night Lupin——"
"You've followed the scent with me, your Grace," Guerchard interrupted quickly and vehemently. "We've picked up each clue together. You've almost seen this man at work. . . . You've understood him. Isn't a man like this, I ask you, capable of anything?"
"He is," said the Duke, with conviction.
"Well, then," said Guerchard.
"Perhaps you're right," said the Duke.
Guerchard turned to Dieusy and said, in a quieter voice, "And when the scavenger had picked up the cigarette, did he follow the motorist?"
"Yes, he followed him for about a hundred yards. He went down into Sureau Street, and turned westwards. Then a motor-car came along; he got into it, and went off."
