--her forehead completely uncovered. I can assure you, for we have
carefully examined the wound. There was no blood on the hair, and
the arrangement of it has not been disturbed since the crime was
committed."

"You are sure! You are sure that, on the night of the crime, she
had not her hair in bands?"

"Quite sure," the magistrate continued, smiling, "because I
remember the Doctor saying to me, while he was examining the wound,
'It is a great pity Mademoiselle Stangerson was in the habit of
drawing her hair back from her forehead. If she had worn it in
bands, the blow she received on the temple would have been weakened.'
It seems strange to me that you should attach so much importance
to this point."

"Oh! if she had not her hair in bands, I give it up," said
Rouletabille, with a despairing gesture.

"And was the wound on her temple a bad one?" he asked presently.

"Terrible."

"With what weapon was it made?"

"That is a secret of the investigation."

"Have you found the weapon--whatever it was?"

The magistrate did not answer.