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Updated: June 14, 2025
Then there came a ring at the door, and a moment later Toinon, the red-elbowed maid-of-all-work, appeared, very much alarmed, carrying a card, which she gave to Brigit. "Oh, dear it is poor Ponty!" ejaculated the girl, involuntarily turning to Joyselle. "Poor " "Lord Pontefract, Théo. Oh, how tiresome of mother!" Joyselle frowned. "Do not call your mother tiresome," he said shortly.
If you will authorize me I will have two spies on the watch before to-night, one in the Rue de la Butte-aux-Cailles, and the other at the door of the Hotel de Mariembourg. If the accomplice ventured to visit Toinon or Madame Milner he would be arrested; and then we should have our turn!" However, there was no time to waste in vain words and idle boasting.
Meanwhile, M. Tabaret had poured out a great glass of some cooling drink and drained it. He now resumed: "I need not remind you of the mistake you made in not compelling Toinon Chupin to tell you all she knew about this affair while she was in your power. 'A bird in the hand' you know the proverb."
Having described the man as best they could, they found two persons who had seen him enter the house of Toinon the Virtuous, and a third who had seen him as he left. Some children who were playing in the middle of the street added that he had run off in the direction of the Rue du Moulin-des-Pres as fast as his legs could carry him.
Skilful questioning, ingenious insinuations, forcible threats, and seductive promises had proved powerless to overcome the dogged spirit of absolute denial which persistently animated, not merely the prisoner May, but also the Widow Chupin, her son Polyte, Toinon the Virtuous, and Madame Milner.
No, this is the first time I've heard that name." "Take care. The police have means of finding out a great many things." The scapegrace did not flinch. "I am telling the truth, sir," he retorted. "What interest could I possibly have in deceiving you?" Scarcely had he finished speaking than the door suddenly opened and Toinon the Virtuous entered the room, carrying her child in her arms.
But if he came here, it was because he scented danger. Hence, we may hope. Now let us get back and question Polyte's wife." Alas! poor Toinon the Virtuous did not understand the affair at all. She had remained upstairs, holding her child by the hand, and leaning over the baluster; her mind in great perplexity and her eyes and ears on the alert.
"My husband has never treated me brutally," said the young woman, indignantly; "besides, that matter would only concern myself." "And your mother-in-law?" "She is, perhaps, a trifle quick-tempered; but in reality she has a good heart." "Then, if you were so happy at the Widow Chupin's house, why did you fly from it?" Toinon the Virtuous turned scarlet to the very roots of her hair.
At all events, when he and Father Absinthe alighted at the corner of the street, it so happened that the very first person the young detective questioned concerning the virtuous Toinon was well acquainted with her whereabouts. The house in which she resided was pointed out, and Lecoq was instructed to go upstairs to the top floor, and knock at the door in front of him.
If the mother was attired in an old, thin, faded calico dress, the child was warmly clad in stout woolen material. "Madame, you have doubtless heard of a dreadful crime, committed in your mother-in-law's establishment," began Lecoq in a soft voice. "Alas! yes, sir," replied Toinon the Virtuous, quickly adding: "But my husband could not have been implicated in it, since he is in prison."
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