"Then hurry up and tell me the name of the thief, for my patience is well-nigh exhausted."
"I can't do this at the start, but I claim that this is the criminal's first robbery. You will no doubt not credit this assertion, as you will probably say to yourself that it shows the workmanship of an old hand; but any child could loosen a bit of dried-up wall-paper. I will say nothing regarding your portfolio, or your broken secrétaire, for that plainly bears the imprint of a novice's hand."
"Then you are sure it is the work of a novice?" interrupted Cornelius.
"Undoubtedly. I will add that he is a clumsy greenhorn. An out-and-out thief would never have left your room in such disorder; he would take more pride in his workmanship. Furthermore, the criminal is neither very strong nor very tall, otherwise he could have drawn himself up there without the aid of that knife and bit of wire."'
"But it must have required considerable strength to demolish that desk in that fashion."
"Not at all; a child, or even a woman—"
"A woman?" exclaimed Balthazar.
"Since I first set my foot in this room, such has been my impression."
Balthazar and Cornelius looked at one another, in doubt as to whom he could possibly suspect.
