"You have spared me," said the judge, "a great remorse.Guespin's innocence would surely sooner or later have been recognized; but the idea of having imprisoned an innocent man and harassed him with my interrogatories, would have disturbed my sleep and tormented my conscience for a long time.""God knows this poor Guespin is not an interesting youth," returned the detective."I should be disposed to press him hard were I not certain that he's half a fool."M.Domini gave a start.
"I shall discharge him this very day," said he, "this very hour."It will be an act of charity," said M.Lecoq; "but confound his obstinacy; it was so easy for him to simplify my task.I might be able, by the aid of chance, to collect the principal facts - the errand, and a woman being mixed up in the affair; but as I'm no magician, I couldn't guess all the details.How is Jenny mixed up in this affair? Is she an accomplice, or has she only been made to play an ignorant part in it? Where did she meet Guespin and whither did she lead him? It is clear that she made the poor fellow tipsy so as to prevent his going to the Batignolles.
Tremorel must have told her some false story - but what?""I don't think Tremorel troubled his head about so small a matter,"said M.Plantat."He gave Guespin and Jenny some task, without explaining it at all."M.Lecoq reflected a moment.
"Perhaps you are right.But Jenny must have had special orders to prevent Guespin from putting in an alibi."But," said M.Domini, Jenny will explain it all to us.""That is what I rely on; and I hope that within forty-eight hours I shall have found her and brought her safely to Corbeil."He rose at these words, took his cane and hat, and turning to the judge, said:
"Before retiring - "
"Yes, I know," interrupted M.Domini, "you want a warrant to arrest Hector de Tremorel.""I do, as you are now of my opinion that he is still alive."" I am sure of it."
M.Domini opened his portfolio and wrote off a warrant as follows:
"By the law:
"We, judge of instruction of the first tribunal, etc., considering articles 91 and 94 of the code of criminal instruction, command and ordain to all the agents of the police to arrest, in conformity with the law, one Hector de Tremorel, etc."When he had finished, he said:
"Here it is, and may you succeed in speedily finding this great criminal.""Oh, he'll find him," cried the Corbeil policeman.
"I hope so, at least.As to how I shall go to work, I don't know yet.I will arrange my plan of battle to-night."The detective then took leave of M.Domini and retired, followed by M.Plantat.The doctor remained with the judge to make arrangements for Sauvresy's exhumation.
M.Lecoq was just leaving the court-house when he felt himself pulled by the arm.He turned and found that it was Goulard who came to beg his favor and to ask him to take him along, persuaded that after having served under so great a captain he must inevitably become a famous man himself.M.Lecoq had some difficulty in getting rid of him; but he at length found himself alone in the street with the old justice of the peace.
"It is late," said the latter."Would it be agreeable to you to partake of another modest dinner with me, and accept my cordial hospitality?""I am chagrined to be obliged to refuse you," replied M.Lecoq.
"But I ought to be in Paris this evening.""But I - in fact, I - was very anxious to talk to you - about - ""About Mademoiselle Laurence?"
"Yes; I have a plan, and if you would help me - "M.Lecoq affectionately pressed his friend's hand.
"I have only known you a few hours," said he, "and yet I am as devoted to you as I would be to an old friend.All that is humanly possible for me to do to serve you, I shall certainly do.""But where shall I see you? They expect me to-day at Orcival.""Very well; to-morrow morning at nine, at my rooms, No - Rue Montmartre.""A thousand thanks; I shall be there."
When they had reached the Belle Image they separated.