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Updated: May 16, 2025
He persists in declaring that he did not recognize him. That's where we are. But prison walls have salutary terrors. To-morrow after a sleepless night, the fellow will be more explicit, if I mistake not." "But Guespin," anxiously asked the old man, "have you questioned him?" "Oh, as for him, everything is clear." "Has he confessed?" asked M. Lecoq, stupefied.
"And Guespin is in prison," remarked the doctor. "We will have him out," answered the detective, "if, indeed, he is innocent; for this time I have mastered the mystery, my romance, if you wish, and without any gap. There is, however, one fact of the utmost importance, that I by myself cannot explain." "What?" asked M. Plantat.
There are, besides, exceptions in favor of the members of the police force. M. Domini reflected whether there were any precedents to apply to the case. "I don't know," he answered at last, "to what point the law permits me to consent to what you ask. However, as I am convinced the interests of truth outweigh all rules, I shall take it on myself to let you question Guespin."
"Come, Guespin; if in any way you know of this crime, I conjure you, tell me. If you know the murderers, name them. Try to merit some indulgence for your frankness and repentance." Guespin made a gesture as if resigned to persecution. "By all that is most sacred," he answered, "I am innocent. Yet I see clearly that if the murderer is not found, I am lost."
"Yes, that's all," said Goulard at last, "and I think it's sufficient; the judge thinks so too; and he is the only person who gives me orders, and whose approbation I wish for." M. Lecoq shrugged his shoulders, and proceeded: "Let's see; did you ask what was the shape of the dirk bought by Guespin? Was it long or short, wide or narrow?" "Faith, no. What was the use?"
By this method, which consists of reconstructing the crime before discovering the criminal, I can be neither right nor wrong by halves. Either all my inferences are correct, or not one of them is. It's all, or nothing. If I am right, Guespin has not been mixed up with this crime, at least directly; for there isn't a single circumstance which suggests outside aid.
He knew that Guespin was in such a state that, under the irresistible impulse of passion, he might betray his innermost thoughts. "But there is one thing," continued the suspected man, "that the record will not tell you; that, disgusted with this abject life, I was tempted to suicide. It will not tell you anything of my desperate attempts, my repentance, my relapses.
He knows that justice must have its victims, one for every crime; he does not forget that the police, as long as it has not the criminal, is always on the search with eye and ear open; and he has thrown us Guespin as a huntsman, closely pressed, throws his glove to the bear that is close upon him.
His energy was exhausted; he fell on his knees, crying: "Mercy! I beg you, Monsieur, not to arrest me; I swear I am innocent, I swear it!" "Speak, then." "You wish it," said Guespin, rising. Then he suddenly changed his tone. "No, I will not speak, I cannot! One man alone could save me; it is the count; and he is dead. I am innocent; yet if the guilty are not found, I am lost.
Master Lenfant was confused by this reply; but his native impudence soon regained the mastery. "Fine customers, parbleu!" he answered, "this thief of a Guespin has got thirty francs of mine which I'll never see again." "Who knows?" said Plantat, ironically. "Besides, you are going to make more than that to-night, there's so much company at the Orcival festival."
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