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So terrible was this spectacle, that the mayor thought it might be an example of great moral force. He turned toward the crowd, and pointing to Guespin, said in a tragic tone: "See what crime is!" The others exchanged surprised looks. "If he is guilty," muttered M. Plantat, "why on earth has he returned?"
"If it were only that!" muttered he. He added, turning to M. Domini: "Do you recall the allusions of Bertaud, monsieur?" The judge of instruction, the doctor, and M. Plantat exchanged a significant look. What misfortune had befallen M. Courtois, this worthy, and despite his faults, excellent person? Decidedly, this was an ill-omened day!
As everyone was getting up, he took the opportunity to offer M. Plantat his lozenge-box. "Monsieur perhaps uses them?" Plantat, unwilling to decline, appropriated a lozenge, and the detective's face became again serene. Public sympathy was necessary to him, as it is to all great comedians. M. Lecoq was the first to reach the staircase, and the spots of blood at once caught his eye.
Two servants, the widow Petit, cook and house-keeper, and Louis, gardener, inhabited the house. If they did not make it a noisy one, it was because Plantat, who talked little, detested also to hear others talk. Silence was there a despotic law. It was very hard for Mme. Petit, especially at first.
"He'll need you, be assured," said M. Plantat, who added, in a careless tone, which his rapid glance at Robelot belied, "The interest attaching to this case will be intense, and the task difficult. Monsieur Sauvresy's body is to be disinterred." Robelot was certainly prepared for something strange, and he was armed with all his audacity.
"Oh, I didn't guess it alone; I ought to share the honor of the theory which has enabled us to foresee this fact, with Monsieur Plantat." "Oh," cried the doctor, striking his forehead, "now, I recollect your advice; in my worry, I must say, I had quite forgotten it. "Well," he added, "your foresight is confirmed.
Robelot did not resist, but he asked for some water and a light. They gave him a bottle of water and a glass. "As for a light," said M. Lecoq, "you may dispense with it. You'll be playing us some dirty trick." M. Plantat, having shut the closet-door, took the detective's hand. "Monsieur," said he, earnestly, "you have probably just saved my life at the peril of your own; I will not thank you.
The value of the property found in the possession of this man, who had, two years before, lived from day to day on what he could pick up, were an over-whelming proof against him in addition to the others already discovered. But M. Plantat looked in vain for any new indications of which he was ignorant.
M. Plantat did not reply, but his companion said that he could not stay so long on his feet after the fatigues of the day, agitated as he was, and having eaten nothing since the evening before. He led him into a neighboring cafe, and forced him to eat a biscuit and drink a glass of wine.
"Ah," she returned, "I must die now, even for my child, if I would not die of shame when he asks for his father " "You will reply, Madame, by showing him an honest man and an old friend, who is ready to give him his name Monsieur Plantat." The old justice was broken with grief; yet he had the strength to say: "Laurence, my beloved child, I beg you accept me "
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