“This is the gentleman to whom you should put your question, monsieur. Let me introduce M. Mifroid, the commissary of police.”

“Ah, M. le Vicomte de Chagny! Delighted to meet you, monsieur,” said the commissary. “Would you mind coming with me?⁠ ⁠… And now where are the managers?⁠ ⁠… Where are the managers?⁠ ⁠…”

Mercier did not answer, and Rémy, the secretary, volunteered the information that the managers were locked up in their office and that they knew nothing as yet of what had happened.

“You don’t mean to say so! Let us go up to the office!”