“King Victor has never taken a life,” the Frenchman reminded him.

“Supposing he were surprised when he was searching for the jewel?”

“Is he in England, then?” asked Anthony sharply. “You say that he was released a few months ago. Didn’t you keep track of him?”

A rather rueful smile overspread the French detective’s face.

“We tried to, Monsieur. But he is a devil, that man. He gave us the slip at once⁠—at once. We thought, of course, that he would make straight for England. But no. He went⁠—where do you think?”

“Where?” said Anthony.

He was staring intently at the Frenchman, and absentmindedly his fingers played with a box of matches.

“To America. To the United States.”