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The operation of fixing the seals was speedily concluded; narrow strips of parchment, held by large waxen seals, were affixed to all the doors, as well as to the bureau in which the articles gathered for the purposes of the investigation had been deposited. Despite the haste they made, it was nearly ten o'clock when M. Plantat and his guests quitted the chateau of Valfeuillu.
M. Lecoq's last words shed a ray of light upon it all, and the doctor cried, "Sauvresy!" "Yes Sauvresy," answered M. Lecoq. "And the paper which the murderer hunted for so eagerly, for which he neglected his safety and risked his life, must contain the certain proof of the crime." M. Plantat, despite the most significant looks and the direct provocation to make an explanation, was silent.
The weather was glorious, the night very clear, and a large open space lay before the library window; they looked out, but saw no one. "You are mistaken, Doctor," said Plantat, resuming his arm-chair. M. Lecoq continued: "Now let us suppose that, under the influence of certain events that we will examine presently, Monsieur de Tremorel had made up his mind to get rid of his wife.
Plantat, on the contrary, whose system seemed to rest on impressions, on a series of logical deductions, would not clearly express himself, without a positive and pressing invitation. His last speech, impressively uttered, had not been replied to; he judged that he had advanced far enough to sound the detective. "Well, Monsieur Lecoq," asked he, "have you found any new traces?"
Do you know what became of that piece of Guespin's vest?" "Ah," muttered M. Plantat, "it was that which we found in the countess's hand." "You are right, Monsieur. And what think you of this proof, pray, of the prisoner's guilt?" M. Plantat seemed amazed; his arms fell at his side.
And still, the first man who should come along to-morrow a defaulting banker, a ruined merchant, a notary who has gambled on 'change would feel himself compromised by walking up the boulevard with me! A policeman fie! But old Tabaret used to say to me, that the contempt of such people was only one form of fear." M. Plantat was dismayed.
The chambers are on the first floor, a study, a " "Enough," M. Lecoq said, "my plan is made." And rising abruptly, he opened the door, and followed by M. Plantat and Palot, went into the large room. All the men rose at his approach as before. "Monsieur Job," said the detective, "listen attentively to what I have to say.
M. Domini was just going to send a mounted gendarme to Orcival to find out the cause of the delay, when those whom he awaited were announced. He quickly gave the order to admit them, and so keen was his curiosity, despite what he called his dignity, that he got up and went forward to meet them. "How late you are!" said he. "And yet we haven't lost a minute," replied M. Plantat.
In her left hand she grasped a strip of common cloth, torn, doubtless, from the clothes of one of the assassins. The mayor, in viewing the spectacle, felt his legs fail him, and supported himself on the arm of the impassible Plantat. "Let us carry her to the house," said the justice, "and then we will search for the count." The women rushed into the garden.
"More than indications, I believe," responded M. Domini. "Old Bertaud, whom I have again questioned, begins to be uneasy. He has quite lost his arrogant manner. I succeeded in making him contradict himself several times, and he finished by confessing that he saw the assassins." "The assassins!" exclaimed M. Plantat. "Did he say assassins?" "He saw at least one of them.
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