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Updated: May 24, 2025
Besides issuing the warrant against Albert, he had summoned the Count de Commarin, Madame Gerdy, Noel, and some of Albert's servants, to appear before him with as little delay as possible. He thought it essential to question all these persons before examining the prisoner.
This is the first time that a piece of news in the papers ever helped to nab a criminal." "Yes," murmured the magistrate, deep in thought, "yes, you are a valuable man, M. Tabaret." Then, louder, he added, "I am thoroughly convinced; for M. Gerdy has just this moment left me." "You have seen Noel!" cried the old fellow. On the instant all his proud self-satisfaction disappeared.
"And she is gone, carrying her secret with her!" murmured the old fellow in a tone of regret. "Perhaps!" replied Noel, "for I have yet one hope. Claudine had in her possession several letters which had been written to her a long time ago, some by the count, some by Madame Gerdy, letters both imprudent and explicit. They will be found, no doubt, and their evidence will be decisive.
The researches into the past life of widow Lerouge were no longer difficult. He could not restrain an exclamation of satisfaction, which passed unnoticed by Noel. "This note," resumed the advocate, "closes the count's correspondence with Madame Gerdy." "What!" exclaimed the old fellow, "you are in possession of nothing more?"
"You have not told me, viscount," he said, "who sent you that messenger of misfortune." "He came in person, sir, not wishing, he told me to mix any others up in this sad affair. The young man was no other than he whose place I have occupied, your legitimate son, M. Noel Gerdy himself." "Yes," said the count in a low tone, "Noel, that is his name, I remember."
Ah, sir, it is all the same, very strange!" "What is strange?" "What I heard Madame Gerdy say to M. Noel." "Ah ha! my girl!" sneered old Tabaret; "so you listen at key-holes, do you?" "No, sir, I assure you; but madame cried out like one lost. She said, " "My girl!" interrupted old Tabaret severely, "one always hears wrong through key-holes. Ask Manette if that is not so."
M. de Commarin's face darkened at this very natural supposition. He hesitated, he whose honour was usually so great. "I would save the name of my ancestors," he said at last. Albert shook his head doubtfully. "At the price of a lie, my father," he said. "I never will believe it. But let us suppose even that. He will then call Madame Gerdy."
"Madame Gerdy!" repeated the old fellow with an air of astonishment; but he continued, "It is plain you have been seriously alarmed." "In truth," replied the advocate, seating himself, "I have experienced a rude shock." Noel was making visibly the greatest efforts to appear calm, to listen to the old fellow, and to answer him. Old Tabaret, as much disquieted on his side, perceived nothing.
"She would appear to have rejected it, at first, for here are twenty pages of eloquent persuasion from the count, urging her to agree to it, trying to convince her. Oh, that woman!" "Come my child," said M. Tabaret, softly, "try not to be too unjust. You seem to direct all your resentment against Madame Gerdy? Really, in my opinion, the count is far more deserving of your anger than she is."
The doctor shook his head with an air of deep discouragement. "She is much worse," he replied: "since morning bad symptoms have succeeded each other with frightful rapidity." He checked himself. The advocate had seized his arm and was pressing it with all his might. Madame Gerdy stirred a little, and a feeble groan escaped her. "She heard you," murmured Noel.
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