"But how could that be? You would have seen that person, some of you,
especially at such a critical time. The aisle would be full of people,
both exits were thus practically overlooked."

"My idea is--it is only an idea, understand--that the person had
already left the car--that is to say, the interior of the car."

"Escaped how? Where? What do you mean?"

"Escaped through the open window of the compartment where you found the
murdered man."

"You noticed the open window, then?" quickly asked the detective. "When
was that?"

"Directly I entered the compartment at the first alarm. It occurred to
me at once that some one might have gone through it."

"But no woman could have done it. To climb out of an express train going
at top speed would be an impossible feat for a woman," said the
detective, doggedly.

"Why, in God's name, do you still harp upon the woman? Why should it be
a woman more than a man?"

"Because"--it was the Judge who spoke, but he paused a moment in
deference to a gesture of protest from M. Floçon. The little detective
was much concerned at the utter want of reticence displayed by his
colleague.