When he came to the third floor, he rang the bell. Receiving no answer, he rang again. At the third summons, the door opened.
"Mme. Dugrival?" he asked, taking off his hat.
"Mme. Dugrival is still an invalid and unable to see any one," said Gabriel, who stood in the hall.
"It's most important that I should speak to her."
"I am her nephew and perhaps I could take her a message…."
"Very well," said the man. "Please tell Mme. Dugrival that an accident has supplied me with valuable information concerning the robbery from which she has suffered and that I should like to go over the flat and ascertain certain particulars for myself. I am accustomed to this sort of inquiry; and my call is sure to be of use to her."
Gabriel examined the visitor for a moment, reflected and said:
"In that cas
