Here the inspector’s voice was raised.

“You’ve broken the rules; I shall have to fine you, Mame Giry.”

“Hold your tongue, you fool!” muttered M. Firmin Richard.

“You brought back the fan. And then?”

“Well, then, they took it away with them, sir; it was not there at the end of the performance; and in its place they left me a box of English sweets, which I’m very fond of. That’s one of the ghost’s pretty thoughts.”

“That will do, Mame Giry. You can go.”