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He reflected for a moment, and then added: "And to think that one of these dead men is perhaps Lacheneur himself!" "That is scarcely possible," said Lecoq. "The spurious soldier, being the last to die, had seen his companions fall. If he had supposed Lacheneur to be dead, he would not have spoken of vengeance."
"Yes, I am Lacheneur," he replied, after a moment's hesitation; "I am Lacheneur. Betray me, if you will, but in charity's name give me a morsel of bread, and allow me to rest a little." At the words "betray me," the young woman made a gesture of horror and disgust. "We betray you, sir!" said she. "Ah! you do not know the Antoines!
I am also convinced that she knows Lacheneur the man upon whom the dying soldier breathed vengeance the mysterious personage who evidently possesses the key to the enigma. That man must be found." "Ah!" replied Lecoq, "and I will find him even if I have to question every one of the eleven hundred thousand men who constantly walk the streets of Paris!"
But Martial's conversation was generally interrupted by visitors. It was really surprising to see how many peasants came to the house to speak to M. Lacheneur. There was an interminable procession of them. And to each of these peasants Marie-Anne had something to say in private. Then she offered each man refreshments the house seemed almost like a common drinking-saloon.
Endeavor to discover her retreat before Monday, when I will meet you here again." "I will try," Chupin answered. He did indeed try; he exerted all his energy and cunning, but in vain. He was fettered by the precautions which he took against Balstain and against Jean Lacheneur. On the other hand, no one in the neighborhood would have consented to give him the least information.
'Here, old man, he said, 'do you wish to do me a favor? Naturally I replied: 'Yes. Whereupon he placed a coin in my hand and said: 'Well! go and tell them to saddle a horse for you, then gallop to Sairmeuse, and tell my friend Lacheneur that the Duc de Sairmeuse arrived here last night in a post-chaise, with his son, Monsieur Martial, and two servants."
The man dragged himself toward him, took his hands and kissed them, imploring mercy and forgiveness, swearing that to preserve his life he was ready to do anything, yes, anything, even to deliver up M. Lacheneur. To capture Lacheneur! Such a prospect had powerful attractions for the Marquis de Courtornieu. "Do you know, then, where this brigand is concealed?" he inquired.
Moreover, he was of the opinion that he had acted with great generosity, and that he was entitled to the deep gratitude of the Lacheneur family; for M. Lacheneur had received the legacy bequeathed him by Mlle. Armande, and an indemnity, besides all the furniture he had chosen to take from the chateau, a total of at least sixty thousand francs.
One of the officers went to open it, and Bavois, the corporal of grenadiers, entered, his right hand lifted to his cap, as if he were in the presence of his superior officer. "Is Mademoiselle Lacheneur here?" he demanded. Marie-Anne came forward. "I am she, Monsieur," she replied; "what do you desire of me?" "I am ordered, Mademoiselle, to conduct you to the citadel."
"And his farm who will take care of that?" "He will employ day-laborers." And then, as if wishing to make M. d'Escorval understand that his visit had lasted quite long enough, Lacheneur began arranging the little packages which were destined to fill the pack of the travelling merchant. But the baron was not to be gotten rid of so easily, now that his suspicions had become almost a certainty.
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