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"Why, Monsieur," replied Vinson, after a pause and a piteous look, "because it's because ... I have sworn to tell you everything before I die!" "Hang it all! What do you mean to do?" asked Fandor. The corporal replied simply, but his tone was decisive: "I mean to kill myself!"
The business hung fire for several weeks, and this was owing to Vinson himself, whose moods alternated from one of shrinking disgust to one of bravado courage.
If he had any luck he would arrest the soldier, and Bobinette as well. She would convey the piece to Vinson in the morning, and would accompany him to Dieppe. She was daring enough to do it. At the Saint Lazare station Juve had caught the train for Dieppe which meets the one o'clock boat, bound for England.
Probably the spies, or the Second Bureau, or both, were keeping a sharp watch on Vinson: it would be wiser to refrain from any communication which might reveal the fact that the corporal Vinson, who joined the 257th of the line at Verdun, was none other than Jérôme Fandor, journalist. Though stiff with cold and fatigue, Fandor's brain was clear and active. It is all right!
Before he had been ten minutes in the room, men were rushing in all directions, fussing, jostling one another, coming, going, demanding of all the echoes in that huge white-washed barn of a barrack-room dormitory: "Where is the palliasse of Corporal Vinson!" "Find me the bolster of Corporal Vinson!"
The commandant passed a wakeful night and arrived early at his office. He must get to work! Fortunately, among his deputies he had found a competent and zealous helper in Lieutenant Servin. He turned to him now. "Our next proceeding will be to establish the identity of Corporal Vinson.
Vinson's chief companions were some non-commissioned officers, a little better off than he was.... Without being lavish in their expenditure, these young fellows did not reckon up their every penny, and, not wishing to be behindhand, Vinson had sent to his mother for money again and again, and she had kept him in funds.
Juve entered and saluted Dumoulin with an amiable smile. He did not take any notice of the prisoner, who was standing with his back to the light. "It is I, Commandant, who arrested Corporal Vinson; consequently, I have come to place myself at your disposal." "You have done the right thing!" cried Dumoulin. "Now, will you get this prisoner to own up?
Vinson told him many things about the old accordion player with the patriarchal white beard which he already knew; but one remark particularly impressed him. "If only the police knew all that goes on in the house in the rue Monge!"... Vinson stopped short. This remark opened new horizons to Juve.
But, by way of return, I thank you for the service you have unwittingly done me." The way was open: Vinson rapidly descended, gained the street, hailed a cab. "To the Eastern Station!" "I have missed the express," he muttered; "but I shall catch the first train for those on leave."
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