6. The Evidence of the Russian Princess

           “LetushearwhatPierreMichelhastosayaboutthisbutton,”hesaid.

           TheWagonLitconductorwasrecalled.Helookedattheminquiringly.

           M.Boucclearedhisthroat.

           “Michel,”hesaid.“Hereisabuttonfromyourtunic.ItwasfoundintheAmericanlady’scompartment.Whathaveyoutosayforyourselfaboutit?”

           Theconductor’shandwentautomaticallytohistunic.

           “Ihavelostnobutton,Monsieur,”hesaid.“Theremustbesomemistake.”

           “Thatisveryodd.”

           “Icannotaccountforit,Monsieur.”

           Themanseemedastonished,butnotinanywayguiltyorconfused.

           M.Boucsaidmeaningly:

           “Owingtothecircumstancesinwhichitwasfound,itseemsfairlycertainthatthisbuttonwasdroppedbythemanwhowasinMrs.Hubbard’scompartmentlastnightwhensherangthebell.”

           “But,Monsieur,therewasnoonethere.Theladymusthaveimaginedit.”

           “Shedidnotimagineit,Michael.TheassassinofM.Ratchettpassedthatway—anddroppedthatbutton.”

           AsthesignificanceofM.Bouc’swordbecameplaintohim,PierreMichelflewintoaviolentstateofagitation.

           “Itisnottrue,Monsieur,itisnottrue!”hecried.“Youareaccusingmeofthecrime.Me?Iaminnocent.Iamabsolutelyinnocent.WhyshouldIwanttokillaMonsieurwhomIhaveneverseenbefore?”

           “WherewereyouwhenMrs.Hubbard’sbellrang?”

           “Itoldyou,Monsieur,inthenextcoach,talkingtomycolleague.”

           “Wewillsendforhim.”

           “Doso,Monsieur,Iimploreyou,doso.”

           Theconductorofthenextcoachwassummoned.HeimmediatelyconfirmedPierreMichel’sstatement.