“Very true,” said Dupin. He then offered our visitors a pipe and a comfortable chair.
“What is the problem?” I asked the Chief. “Not another murder, I hope!”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. This is really very simple. I think that the police can solve the mystery without help. But Dupin will want to hear about it because it is very strange.”
“Simple … and strange,” said Lupin.
The Chief laughed. “Oh Dupin, you are strange!”
“What exactly is the problem?” I asked.
“I will tell you” said the Chief, as he smoked his pipe slowly.
“But you must not tell anyone about it. If you do, I will probably lose my job.”
“Continue,“ I said.
“or don’t,“ said Dupin.
“Someone”, the Chief began, “has stolen a very important letter from the royal apartments. The thief is known to us. When he took it, he was seen. We know, too, that he still has the letter.”
