Monsieur Lecoq, v. 1

by Emile Gaboriau

  XXI

  So the landlady of the Hotel de Mariembourg had given May money. Therecould be no further doubt on that point after the purchase of thiscigar. But had they agreed upon any plan? Had they had sufficient timeto decide on the method that May was to employ with the view of bafflinghis pursuit?

  It would seem so, since the fugitive's manner had now changed in morerespects than one. If hitherto he had seemed to care little for thedanger of pursuit and capture, at present he was evidently uneasy andagitated. After walking so long in the full sunlight, with his headhigh in the air, he now slunk along in the shadow of the houses, hidinghimself as much as possible.

  "It is evident that his fears have increased in proportion with hishopes," said Lecoq to his companion. "He was quite unnerved when wesaw him at the Odeon, and the merest trifle would have decided him tosurrender; now, however, he thinks he has a chance to escape with hissecret."

  The fugitive was following the boulevards, but suddenly he turned intoa side street and made his way toward the Temple, where, soon afterward,Father Absinthe and Lecoq found him conversing with one of thoseimportunate dealers in cast-off garments who consider every passer-bytheir lawful prey. The vender and May were evidently debating a questionof price; but the latter was plainly no skilful bargainer, for with asomewhat disappointed air he soon gave up the discussion and entered theshop.

  "Ah, so now he has some coin he has determined on a costume," remarkedLecoq. "Isn't that always an escaped prisoner's first impulse?"

  Soon afterward May emerged into the street. His appearance was decidedlychanged, for he wore a pair of dark blue linen trousers, of the typeFrench "navvies" habitually affect, and a loosely fitting coat of roughwoolen material. A gay silk 'kerchief was knotted about his throat, anda black silk cap was set on one side of his head. Thus attired, he wasscarcely more prepossessing in appearance than Lecoq, and one would havehesitated before deciding which of the two it would be preferable tomeet at night on a deserted highway.

  May seemed very well pleased with his transformation, and was evidentlymore at ease in his new attire. On leaving the shop, however, he glancedsuspiciously around him, as if to ascertain which of the passers-by werewatching his movements. He had not parted with his broadcloth suit, butwas carrying it under his arm, wrapped up in a handkerchief. The onlything he had left behind him was his tall chimney-pot hat.

  Lecoq would have liked to enter the shop and make some inquiries, but hefelt that it would be imprudent to do so, for May had settled his capon his head with a gesture that left no doubt as to his intentions. Asecond later he turned into the Rue du Temple, and now the chase beganin earnest; for the fugitive proved as swift and agile as a stag, andit was no small task to keep him well in sight. He had no doubt lived inEngland and Germany, since he spoke the language of these countries likea native; but one thing was certain--he knew Paris as thoroughly as themost expert Parisian.

  This was shown by the way in which he dashed into the Rue desGravelliers, and by the precision of his course through the many windingstreets that lie between the Rue du Temple and the Rue Beaubourg. Heseemed to know this quarter of the capital by heart; as well, indeed,as if he had spent half his life there. He knew all the wine-shopscommunicating with two streets--all the byways, passages, and tortuousalleys. Twice he almost escaped his pursuers, and once his salvationhung upon a thread. If he had remained in an obscure corner, where hewas completely hidden, only an instant longer, the two detectives wouldhave passed him by and his safety would have been assured.

  The pursuit presented immense difficulties. Night was coming on, andwith it that light fog which almost invariably accompanies a springsunset. Soon the street-lamps glimmered luridly in the mist, and thenit required a keen eyesight indeed to see even for a moderate distance.And, to add to this drawback, the streets were now thronged with workmenreturning home after their daily toil, and with housewives intent onpurchasing provisions for the evening meal, while round about eachdwelling there congregated its numerous denizens swarming like beesaround a hive. May, however, took advantage of every opportunity tomislead the persons who might be following him. Groups collectedaround some cheap-jack's stall, street accidents, a block ofvehicles--everything was utilized by him with such marvelous presence ofmind that he often glided through the crowd without leaving any sign ofhis passage.

  At last he left the neighborhood of the Rue des Gravelliers and made fora broader street. Reaching the Boulevard de Sebastopol, he turned to theleft, and took a fresh start. He darted on with marvelous rapidity, withhis elbows pressed close to his body--husbanding his breath and timinghis steps with the precision of a dancing-master. Never pausing, andwithout once turning his head, he ever hurried on. And it was at thesame regular but rapid pace that he covered the Boulevard de Sebastopol,crossed the Place du Chatelet, and proceeded to mount the BoulevardSaint-Michel.

  Here he suddenly halted before a cab-stand. He spoke to one of thedrivers, opened the door of his vehicle, and jumped in. The cab startedoff at a rapid pace. But May was not inside. He had merely passedthrough the vehicle, getting out at the other door, and just as thedriver was departing for an imaginary destination May slipped into anadjacent cab which left the stand at a gallop. Perhaps, after so manyruses, after such formidable efforts, after this last stratagem--perhapsMay believed that he was free.

  He was mistaken. Behind the cab which bore him onward, and while heleaned back against the cushions to rest, a man was running; and thisman was Lecoq. Poor Father Absinthe had fallen by the way. In front ofthe Palais de Justice he paused, exhausted and breathless, and Lecoq hadlittle hope of seeing him again, since he had all he could do to keephis man in sight without stopping to make the chalk-marks agreed upon.

  May had instructed his driver to take him to the Place d'Italie:requesting him, moreover, to stop exactly in the middle of the square.This was about a hundred paces from the police station in which hehad been temporarily confined with the Widow Chupin. When the vehiclehalted, he sprang to the ground and cast a rapid glance around him, asif looking for some dreaded shadow. He could see nothing, however, foralthough surprised by the sudden stoppage, Lecoq had yet had time tofling himself flat on his stomach under the body of the cab, regardlessof all danger of being crushed by the wheels. May was apparentlyreassured. He paid the cabman and then retraced his course toward theRue Mouffetard.

  With a bound, Lecoq was on his feet again, and started after thefugitive as eagerly as a ravenous dog might follow a bone. He hadreached the shadow cast by the large trees in the outer boulevards whena faint whistle resounded in his ears. "Father Absinthe!" he exclaimedin a tone of delighted surprise.

  "The same," replied the old detective, "and quite rested, thanks to apassing cabman who picked me up and brought me here--"

  "Oh, enough!" interrupted Lecoq. "Let us keep our eyes open."

  May was now walking quite leisurely. He stopped first before one andthen before another of the numerous wine-shops and eating-houses thatabound in this neighborhood. He was apparently looking for some one orsomething, which of the two Lecoq could not, of course, divine. However,after peering through the glass doors of three of these establishmentsand then turning away, the fugitive at last entered the fourth. The twodetectives, who were enabled to obtain a good view of the shop inside,saw the supposed murderer cross the room and seat himself at a tablewhere a man of unusually stalwart build, ruddy-faced and gray-whiskered,was already seated.

  "The accomplice!" murmured Father Absinthe.

  Was this really the redoubtable accomplice? Under other circumstancesLecoq would have hesitated to place dependence on a vague similarity inpersonal appearance; but here probabilities were so strongly in favorof Father Absinthe's assertion that the young detective at once admittedits truth. Was not this meeting the logical sequence of May and MadameMilner's chance interview a few hours before?

  "May," thought Lecoq, "began by taking all the money Madame Milner hadabout her, and then instructed her to tell his accomplice
to come andwait for him in some cheap restaurant near here. If he hesitated andlooked inside the different establishments, it was only because hehadn't been able to specify any particular one. Now, if they don't throwaside the mask, it will be because May is not sure he has eluded pursuitand because the accomplice fears that Madame Milner may have beenfollowed."

  The accomplice, if this new personage was really the accomplice, hadresorted to a disguise not unlike that which May and Lecoq had bothadopted. He wore a dirty blue blouse and a hideous old slouch hat,which was well-nigh in tatters. He had, in fact, rather exaggerated hismake-up, for his sinister physiognomy attracted especial attention evenbeside the depraved and ferocious faces of the other customers inthe shop. For this low eating-house was a regular den of thieves andcut-throats. Among those present there were not four workmen reallyworthy of that name. The others occupied in eating and drinking therewere all more or less familiar with prison life. The least to be dreadedwere the barriere loafers, easily recognized by their glazed caps andtheir loosely-knotted neckerchiefs. The majority of the company appearedto consist of this class.

  And yet May, that man who was so strongly suspected of belonging to thehighest social sphere, seemed to be perfectly at home. He called for theregular "ordinary" and a "chopine" of wine, and then, after gulping downhis soup, bolted great pieces of beef, pausing every now and then towipe his mouth on the back of his sleeve. But was he conversing with hisneighbor? This it was impossible to discern through the glass door, allobscured by smoke and steam.

  "I must go in," said Lecoq, resolutely. "I must get a place near them,and listen."

  "Don't think of such a thing," said Father Absinthe. "What if theyrecognized you?"

  "They won't recognize me."

  "If they do, they'll kill you."

  Lecoq made a careless gesture.

  "I certainly think that they wouldn't hesitate to rid themselves of meat any cost. But, nonsense! A detective who is afraid to risk his lifeis no better than a low spy. Why! you never saw even Gevrol flinch."

  Perhaps Father Absinthe had wished to ascertain if his companion'scourage was equal to his shrewdness and sagacity. If such were the casehe was satisfied on this score now.

  "You, my friend, will remain here to follow them if they leavehurriedly," resumed Lecoq, who in the mean while had already turned thehandle of the door. Entering with a careless air and taking a seat at atable near that occupied by the fugitive and the man in the slouch hat,he called for a plate of meat and a "chopine" of wine in a gutturalvoice.

  The fugitive and the ruffian opposite him were talking, but likestrangers who had met by chance, and not at all after the fashion offriends who have met at a rendezvous. They spoke in the jargon of theirpretended rank in life, not that puerile slang met with in romancesdescriptive of low life, but that obscene, vulgar dialect which it isimpossible to render, so changeable and diverse is the signification ofits words.

  "What wonderful actors!" thought Lecoq; "what perfection! what method!How I should be deceived if I were not absolutely certain!"

  For the moment the man in the slouch hat was giving a detailed accountof the different prisons in France. He described the governors of theprincipal houses of detention; explained the divergencies of disciplinein different establishments; and recounted that the food at Poissy wasten times better than that at Fontevrault.

  Lecoq, having finished his repast, ordered a small glass of brandy, and,leaning his back against the wall and closing his eyes, pretended tofall asleep. His ears were wide open, however, and he carefully listenedto the conversation.

  Soon May began talking in his turn; and he narrated his story exactly ashe had related it to the magistrate, from the murder up to hisescape, without forgetting to mention the suspicions attached to hisidentity--suspicions which afforded him great amusement, he said. Headded that he would be perfectly happy if he had money enough to takehim back to Germany; but unfortunately he only had a few sous and didn'tknow where or how to procure any more. He had not even succeeded inselling some clothing which belonged to him, and which he had with himin a bundle.

  At these words the man in the tattered felt hat declared that he had toogood a heart to leave a comrade in such embarrassment. He knew, in thevery same street, an obliging dealer in such articles, and he offered totake May to his place at once. May's only response was to rise, saying:"Let us start." And they did start, with Lecoq at their heels.

  They walked rapidly on until passing the Rue Fer-a-Moulin, when theyturned into a narrow, dimly lighted alley, and entered a dingy dwelling.

  "Run and ask the concierge if there are not two doors by which any onecan leave this house," said Lecoq, addressing Father Absinthe.

  The latter instantly obeyed. He learned, however, that the house hadonly one street door, and accordingly the two detectives waited. "We arediscovered!" murmured Lecoq. "I am sure of it. May must have recognizedme, or the boy at the Hotel de Mariembourg has described me to theaccomplice."

  Father Absinthe made no response, for just then the two men came out ofthe house. May was jingling some coins in his hand, and seemed to bein a very bad temper. "What infernal rascals these receivers are!" hegrumbled.

  However, although he had only received a small sum for his clothing, heprobably felt that his companion's kindness deserved some reward; forimmediately afterward he proposed they should take a drink together,and with that object in view they entered a wine-shop close by. Theyremained here for more than an hour, drinking together; and only leftthis establishment to enter one a hundred paces distant. Turned outby the landlord, who was anxious to shut up, the two friends now tookrefuge in the next one they found open. Here again they were soon turnedout and then they hurried to another boozing-den--and yet again toa fifth. And so, after drinking innumerable bottles of wine, theycontrived to reach the Place Saint-Michel at about one o'clock inthe morning. Here, however, they found nothing to drink; for all thewine-shops were closed.

  The two men then held a consultation together, and, after a shortdiscussion, they walked arm-in-arm toward the Faubourg Saint-Germain,like a pair of friends. The liquor they had imbibed was seeminglyproducing its effect, for they often staggered in their walk, and talkednot merely loudly but both at the same time. In spite of thedanger, Lecoq advanced near enough to catch some fragments of theirconversation; and the words "a good stroke," and "money enough tosatisfy one," reached his ears.

  Father Absinthe's confidence wavered. "All this will end badly," hemurmured.

  "Don't be alarmed," replied his friend. "I frankly confess that I don'tunderstand the maneuvres of these wily confederates, but what doesthat matter after all; now the two men are together, I feel sure ofsuccess--sure. If one runs away, the other will remain, and Gevrol shallsoon see which is right, he or I."

  Meanwhile the two drunkards had slackened their pace. By the mannerin which they examined the magnificent mansions of the FaubourgSaint-German, one might have suspected them of the very worstintentions. In the Rue de Varrennes, at only a few steps from the Ruede la Chaise, they suddenly paused before a wall of moderate heightsurrounding an immense garden. The man in the slouch hat now did thetalking, and explained to May--as the detectives could tell by hisgestures--that the mansion to which the garden belonged had its frontentrance in the Rue de Grenelle.

  "Bah!" growled Lecoq, "how much further will they carry this nonsense?"

  They carried it farther than the young detective had ever imagined. Maysuddenly sprang on to his companion's shoulders, and raised himself toa level with the summit of the wall. An instant afterward a heavy thudmight have been heard. He had let himself drop into the garden. The manin the slouch hat remained in the street to watch.

  The enigmatical fugitive had accomplished this strange, inconceivabledesign so swiftly that Lecoq had neither the time nor the desire tooppose him. His amazement at this unexpected misfortune was so greatthat for, an instant he could neither think nor move. But he quicklyregained his self-possession, and at once decide
d what was to be done.With a sure eye he measured the distance separating him from May'saccomplice, and with three bounds he was upon him. The man in theslouched hat attempted to shout, but an iron hand stifled the cry inhis throat. He tried to escape, and to beat off his assailant, but avigorous kick stretched him on the ground as if he had been a child.Before he had time to think of further resistance he was bound, gagged,and carried, half-suffocated, to the corner of the Rue de la Chaise. Nosound had been heard; not a word, not an ejaculation, not even a noiseof shuffling--nothing. Any suspicious sound might have reached May, onthe other side of the wall, and warned him of what was going on.

  "How strange," murmured Father Absinthe, too much amazed to lend ahelping hand to his younger colleague. "How strange! Who would havesupposed--"

  "Enough! enough!" interrupted Lecoq, in that harsh, imperious voice,which imminent peril always gives to energetic men. "Enough!--we willtalk to-morrow. I must run away for a minute, and you will remain here.If May shows himself, capture him; don't allow him to escape."

  "I understand; but what is to be done with the man who is lying there?"

  "Leave him where he is. I have bound him securely, so there is nothingto fear. When the night-police pass, we will give him into charge--"

  He paused and listened. A short way down the street, heavy, measuredfootsteps could be heard approaching.

  "There they come," said Father Absinthe.

  "Ah! I dared not hope it! I shall have a good chance now."

  At the same moment, two sergeants de ville, whose attention had beenattracted by this group at the street corner, hastened toward them. In afew words, Lecoq explained the situation, and it was decided that one ofthe sergeants should take the accomplice to the station-house, while theother remained with Father Absinthe to cut off May's retreat.

  "And now," said Lecoq, "I will run round to the Rue de Grenelle and givethe alarm. To whose house does this garden belong?"

  "What!" replied one of the sergeants in surprise, "don't you know thegardens of the Duke de Sairmeuse, the famous duke who is a millionaireten times over, and who was formerly the friend--"

  "Ah, yes, I know, I know!" said Lecoq.

  "The thief," resumed the sergeant, "walked into a pretty trap when hegot over that wall. There was a reception at the mansion this evening,as there is every Monday, and every one in the house is still up. Theguests are only just leaving, for there were five or six carriages stillat the door as we passed by."

  Lecoq darted off extremely troubled by what he had just heard. It nowseemed to him that if May had got into this garden, it was not forthe purpose of committing a robbery, but in the hope of throwing hispursuers off the track, and making his escape by way of the Rue deGrenelle, which he hoped to do unnoticed, in the bustle and confusionattending the departure of the guests.

  On reaching the Hotel de Sairmeuse, a princely dwelling, the long facadeof which was brilliantly illuminated, Lecoq found a last carriage justcoming from the courtyard, while several footmen were extinguishing thelights, and an imposing "Suisse," dazzling to behold in his gorgeouslivery, prepared to close the heavy double doors of the grand entrance.

  The young detective advanced toward this important personage: "Is thisthe Hotel de Sairmeuse?" he inquired.

  The Suisse suspended his work to survey the audacious vagabond whoventured to question him, and then in a harsh voice replied: "I adviseyou to pass on. I want none of your jesting."

  Lecoq had forgotten that he was clad as a barriere loafer. "Ah,"he rejoined, "I'm not what I seem to be. I'm an agent of the secretservice; by name Lecoq. Here is my card, and I came to tell you thatan escaped criminal has just scaled the garden wall in the rear of theHotel de Sairmeuse."

  "A crim-in-al?"

  The young detective thought a little exaggeration could do no harm, andmight perhaps insure him more ready aid. "Yes," he replied; "and oneof the most dangerous kind--a man who has the blood of three victimsalready on his hands. We have just arrested his accomplice, who helpedhim over the wall."

  The flunky's ruby nose paled perceptibly. "I will summon the servants,"he faltered, and suiting the action to the word, he was raising his handto the bell-chain, employed to announce the arrival of visitors, whenLecoq hastily stopped him.

  "A word first!" said he. "Might not the fugitive have passed throughthe house and escaped by this door, without being seen? In that case hewould be far away by this time."

  "Impossible!"

  "But why?"

  "Excuse me, but I know what I am saying. First, the door opening intothe garden is closed; it is only open during grand receptions, not forour ordinary Monday drawing-rooms. Secondly, Monseigneur requires me tostand on the threshold of the street door when he is receiving. To-dayhe repeated this order, and you may be sure that I haven't disobeyedhim."

  "Since that's the case," said Lecoq, slightly reassured, "we shallperhaps succeed in finding our man. Warn the servants, but withoutringing the bell. The less noise we make, the greater will be our chanceof success."

  In a moment the fifty servants who peopled the ante-rooms, stables, andkitchens of the Hotel de Sairmeuse were gathered together. The greatlanterns in the coach houses and stables were lighted, and the entiregarden was illuminated as by enchantment.

  "If May is concealed here," thought Lecoq, delighted to see so manyauxiliaries, "it will be impossible for him to escape."

  But it was in vain that the gardens were thoroughly explored over andover again; no one could be found. The sheds where gardening tools werekept, the conservatories, the summer houses, the two rustic pavilions atthe foot of the garden, even the dog kennels, were scrupulously visited,but all in vain. The trees, with the exception of some horse-chestnutsat the rear of the garden, were almost destitute of leaves, but theywere not neglected on that account. An agile boy, armed with a lantern,climbed each tree, and explored even the topmost branches.

  "The murderer must have left by the way he came," obstinately repeatedthe Suisse who had armed himself with a huge pistol, and who would notlet go his hold on Lecoq, fearing an accident perhaps.

  To convince the Suisse of his error it was necessary for the youngdetective to place himself in communication with Father Absinthe and thesergeant de ville on the other side of the wall. As Lecoq had expected,the latter both replied that they had not once taken their eyes off thewall, and that not even a mouse had crossed into the street.

  The exploration had hitherto been conducted after a somewhat haphazardfashion, each of the servants obeying his own inspiration; but thenecessity of a methodically conducted search was now recognized.Accordingly, Lecoq took such measures that not a corner, not a recess,could possibly escape scrutiny; and he was dividing the task between hiswilling assistants, when a new-comer appeared upon the scene. This was agrave, smooth-faced individual in the attire of a notary.

  "Monsieur Otto, Monseigneur's first valet de chambre," the Suissemurmured in Lecoq's ear.

  This important personage came on behalf of Monsieur le Duc (he did notsay "Monseigneur") to inquire the meaning of all this uproar. When hehad received an explanation, M. Otto condescended to compliment Lecoq onhis efficiency, and to recommend that the house should be searchedfrom garret to cellar. These precautions alone would allay the fears ofMadame la Duchesse.

  He then departed, and the search began again with renewed ardor. Amouse concealed in the gardens of the Hotel de Sairmeuse could nothave escaped discovery, so minute were the investigations. Not a singleobject of any size was left undisturbed. The trees were examined leafby leaf, one might almost say. Occasionally the discouraged servantsproposed to abandon the search; but Lecoq urged them on. He ran fromone to the other, entreating and threatening by turns, swearing thathe asked only one more effort, and that this effort would assuredly becrowned with success. Vain promises! The fugitive could not be found.

  The evidence was now conclusive. To persist in searching the gardenany longer would be worse than folly. Accordingly, the young detectivedecided to reca
ll his auxiliaries. "That's enough," he said, in adespondent voice. "It is now certain that the criminal is no longer inthe garden."

  Was he cowering in some corner of the great house, white with fear,and trembling at the noise made by his pursuers? One might reasonablysuppose this to be the case; and such was the opinion of the servants.Above all, such was the opinion of the Suisse who renewed with growingassurance his affirmations of a few moments before.

  "I have not moved from the threshold of the house to-night," he said,"and I should certainly have seen any person who passed out."

  "Let us go into the house, then," said Lecoq. "But first let me askmy companion, who is waiting for me in the street, to join me. It isunnecessary for him to remain any longer where he is."

  When Father Absinthe had responded to the summons all the lower doorswere carefully closed and guarded, and the search recommenced insidethe house, one of the largest and most magnificent residences of theFaubourg Saint-Germain. But at this moment all the treasures of theuniverse could not have won a single glance or a second's attentionfrom Lecoq. All his thoughts were occupied with the fugitive. Hepassed through several superb drawing-rooms, along an unrivaled picturegallery, across a magnificent dining-room, with sideboards groaningbeneath their load of massive plate, without paying the slightestattention to the marvels of art and upholstery that were offered to hisview. He hurried on, accompanied by the servants who were guiding andlighting him. He lifted heavy articles of furniture as easily as hewould have lifted a feather; he moved each chair and sofa from itsplace, he explored each cupboard and wardrobe, and drew back in turnsall the wall-hangings, window-curtains, and portieres. A more completesearch would have been impossible. In each of the rooms and passagesthat Lecoq entered not a nook was left unexplored, not a corner wasforgotten. At length, after two hours' continuous work, Lecoq returnedto the first floor. Only five or six servants had accompanied him on histour of inspection. The others had dropped off one by one, weary of thisadventure, which had at first possessed the attractions of a pleasureparty.

  "You have seen everything, gentlemen," declared an old footman.

  "Everything!" interrupted the Suisse, "everything! Certainly not.There are the private apartments of Monseigneur and those of Madame laDuchesse still to be explored."

  "Alas!" murmured Lecoq, "What good would it be?"

  But the Suisse had already gone to rap gently at one of the doorsopening into the hall. His interest equaled that of the detectives. Theyhad seen the murderer enter; he had not seen him go out; therefore theman was in the house and he wished him to be found.

  The door at which he had knocked soon opened, and the grave,clean-shaven face of Otto, the duke's first valet de chambre, showeditself. "What the deuce do you want?" he asked in surly tones.

  "To enter Monseigneur's room," replied the Suisse, "in order to see ifthe fugitive has not taken refuge there."

  "Are you crazy?" exclaimed the head valet de chambre. "How could anyone have entered here? Besides, I can't suffer Monsieur le Duc to bedisturbed. He has been at work all night, and he is just going to take abath before going to bed."

  The Suisse seemed very vexed at this rebuff; and Lecoq was presentinghis excuses, when another voice was heard exclaiming. "Let these worthymen do their duty, Otto."

  "Ah! do you hear that!" exclaimed the Suisse triumphantly.

  "Very well, since Monsieur le Duc permits it. Come in, I will light youthrough the apartments."

  Lecoq entered, but it was only for form's sake that he walked throughthe different apartments; a library, an admirable study, and a charmingsmoking-room. As he was passing through the bed-chamber, he had thehonor of seeing the Duc de Sairmeuse through the half-open door of asmall, white, marble bath-room.

  "Ah, well!" cried the duke, affably, "is the fugitive still invisible?"

  "Still invisible, monsieur," Lecoq respectfully replied.

  The valet de chambre did not share his master's good humor. "I think,gentlemen," said he, "that you may spare yourselves the trouble ofvisiting the apartments of the duchess. It is a duty we have takenupon ourselves--the women and I--and we have looked even in the bureaudrawers."

  Upon the landing the old footman, who had not ventured to enter hismaster's apartments, was awaiting the detectives. He had doubtlessreceived his orders, for he politely inquired if they desired anything,and if, after such a fatiguing night, they would not find some coldmeat and a glass of wine acceptable. Father Absinthe's eyes sparkled.He probably thought that in this royal abode they must have deliciousthings to eat and drink--such viands, indeed, as he had never tasted inhis life. But Lecoq civilly refused, and left the Hotel de Sairmeuse,reluctantly followed by his old companion.

  He was eager to be alone. For several hours he had been making immenseefforts to conceal his rage and despair. May escaped! vanished!evaporated! The thought drove him almost mad. What he had declared tobe impossible had nevertheless occurred. In his confidence and pride, hehad sworn to answer for the prisoner's head with his own life; and yethe had allowed him to slip between his fingers.

  When he was once more in the street, he paused in front of FatherAbsinthe, and crossing his arms, inquired: "Well, my friend, what do youthink of all this?"

  The old detective shook his head, and in serene unconsciousness ofhis want of tact, responded: "I think that Gevrol will chuckle withdelight."

  At this mention of his most cruel enemy, Lecoq bounded from the groundlike a wounded bull. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Gevrol has not won the battleyet. We have lost May; it is a great misfortune; but his accompliceremains in our hands. We hold the crafty man who has hitherto defeatedall our plans, no matter how carefully arranged. He is certainlyshrewd and devoted to his friend; but we will see if his devotion willwithstand the prospect of hard labor in the penitentiary. And thatis what awaits him, if he is silent, and if he thus accepts theresponsibility of aiding and abetting the fugitive's escape. Oh! I've nofears--M. Segmuller will know how to draw the truth out of him."

  So speaking, Lecoq brandished his clinched fist with a threateningair and then, in calmer tones, he added: "But we must go to thestation-house where the accomplice was removed. I wish to question him alittle."