Chapter

  1 IX   |     prefecture after you already. M. Segmuller has charge of the case,
  2 IX   |             in a talkative mood, “M. Segmuller—you don’t seem to know him.
  3 IX   |             he was about to work. M. Segmuller’s appearance corresponded
  4 IX   |             Born near Strasbourg, M. Segmuller possessed that candid physiognomy
  5 IX   |             side of such a man as M. Segmuller a grave and slender clerk
  6 IX   |         above, when Lecoq entered M. Segmuller’s room the latter was busy
  7 IX   |             with mine,” continued M. Segmuller, “and the public prosecutor
  8 IX   |          plainly in his eyes that M. Segmuller could not restrain a smile.~“
  9 IX   |    comparison of the two parcels, M. Segmuller, who had been listening
 10 IX   |             While he was talking, M. Segmuller had carefully placed all
 11 IX   |              agents. Accordingly, M. Segmuller told Lecoq that he might
 12 IX   |            with my orders?” asked M. Segmuller.~“Yes, sir; she is in the
 13 IX   |            of her good looks. But M. Segmuller had unmasked so many hypocrites
 14 IX   |              gesture of authority M. Segmuller warned Goguet, the clerk
 15 IX   |             foils.~“Now,” resumed M. Segmuller, “we will note your antecedents.
 16 IX   |            was not exhausted, but M. Segmuller thought it useless to continue. “
 17 IX   |  lamentations did not much affect M. Segmuller, hence, suddenly changing
 18 IX   |             you told them to me.”~M. Segmuller had reason to feel satisfied.
 19 IX   |        future investigation. Both M. Segmuller and Lecoq were of opinion
 20 IX   |           and two women came in.”~M. Segmuller and the young detective
 21 IX   |       volubility, not a muscle of M. Segmuller’s face had betrayed what
 22 IX   |            to the smiling Goguet, M. Segmuller took a seat near the fireplace,
 23 IX   |        defense; it is the truth.”~M. Segmuller seemed to reflect for a
 24 IX   |     hesitation, “I can swear it.”~M. Segmuller looked up, intense astonishment
 25 IX   |              character,” remarked M. Segmuller, “you are apparently well
 26 IX   |             you convinced?” asked M. Segmuller.~The old offender’s assurance
 27 IX   |           Gustave?”~“Not at all.”~M. Segmuller noted the intonation of
 28 IX   |             denial, the effect of M. Segmuller’s remark was evident, and
 29 IX   |      discovered.~“Now,” continued M. Segmuller, “let us speak of the women
 30 IX   |           was a moment’s silence. M. Segmuller determined to deal a decisive
 31 IX   |             your system,” resumed M. Segmuller. “Believe me, you are wrong.
 32 IX   |            and was then led away.~M. Segmuller immediately seated himself
 33 X    |         greatest possible care by M. Segmuller, who was as skilful in managing
 34 X    |             still a mystery. Both M. Segmuller and Lecoq were nevertheless
 35 X    |                In his impatience, M. Segmuller angrily stamped his foot.
 36 X    |              apparently convinced M. Segmuller. “What is your opinion?”
 37 X    |     complains bitterly about it.”~M. Segmuller reflected for a moment. “
 38 X    |          feel compelled to advise M. Segmuller to take every precaution
 39 X    |                Am I not here?”~If M. Segmuller had seated himself at his
 40 X    |              magistrate,” replied M. Segmuller.~“No, the other one.”~“What
 41 X    |            In this case, however, M. Segmuller did not think that appearances
 42 X    |        spoken of, and accordingly M. Segmuller seated himself at his desk.
 43 X    |           you feel better?” asked M. Segmuller.~“I feel very well.”~“I
 44 X    |              moment’s reflection, M. Segmuller added aloud: “This explains
 45 X    |        Goguet, the smiling clerk.~M. Segmuller also found it difficult
 46 X    |            own conduct,” rejoined M. Segmuller, “If you will only remain
 47 X    |        witness his sincerity.~But M. Segmuller immediately intervened: “
 48 X    |           his looks and gestures. M. Segmuller had, moreover, done his
 49 X    |              hard to decide, that M. Segmuller and Lecoq were equally in
 50 X    |              Brittany, probably.”~M. Segmuller thought he could detect
 51 X    |            own story, then,” said M. Segmuller in answer to the prisoner’
 52 X    |           rung false.~“Now,” said M. Segmuller, coldly, “what are your
 53 X    |            have a certain knack—”~M. Segmuller stroked his chin, according
 54 X    |             you please,” insisted M. Segmuller.~The supposed murderer made
 55 X    |             hear, then!” retorted M. Segmuller, whose mother-tongue was
 56 X    |     continued in the same strain.~M. Segmuller was leaning upon his desk,
 57 XI   |       contradiction did not cause M. Segmuller to abandon the theory propounded
 58 XI   |             the Sphinx.~Thus far, M. Segmuller had been worsted in the
 59 XI   |          this?”~“Last Wednesday.”~M. Segmuller shrugged his shoulders disdainfully. “
 60 XI   |             this story?” inquired M. Segmuller.~“Wait a moment,” said the
 61 XI   |              of this hotel,” said M. Segmuller, perceiving that the prisoner
 62 XI   |            can. For the past hour M. Segmuller had not been free from mental
 63 XI   |             The women were fair,” M. Segmuller would not have known what
 64 XI   |          Widow Chupin.~Certainly, M. Segmuller’s satisfaction was great;
 65 XI   |              the prisoner coldly.~M. Segmuller had opened the drawer of
 66 XI   |              of a diamond. Still, M. Segmuller did not seem to notice the
 67 XI   |              did not rise again.”~M. Segmuller had unfolded upon his desk
 68 XI   |            he thanked heaven that M. Segmuller had supplied the place of
 69 XI   |              ingenious. At least, M. Segmuller appeared to be perfectly
 70 XI   |                Ah, well!” resumed M. Segmuller, “let me tell you my opinion.
 71 XII  |                               XII~M. Segmuller certainly wished that a
 72 XII  |             your arrest,” resumed M. Segmuller. “Why did you refuse to
 73 XII  |            linen bag on his desk, M. Segmuller asked him if he recognized
 74 XII  |              jury would believe.”~M. Segmuller was saying the same thing
 75 XII  |             success vanished when M. Segmuller saw his redoubtable adversary
 76 XII  |          cabmen drove them home.”~M. Segmuller saw that the prisoner understood
 77 XII  |              Enough!” interrupted M. Segmuller. “Your assurance is perfect
 78 XIII |            the prisoner had gone, M. Segmuller sank back in his armchair,
 79 XIII |         opinion, “what a rascal!”~M. Segmuller ordinarily put considerable
 80 XIII |         certainly not,” responded M. Segmuller; “we must, therefore, decide
 81 XIII |             Turning to his clerk, M. Segmuller added: “Quick, Goguet, prepare
 82 XIII |             in his cell,” replied M. Segmuller; “and tell the keepers to
 83 XIII |          governor bowed assent to M. Segmuller’s instructions, and then
 84 XIII |            an angry response when M. Segmuller motioned to him to remain
 85 XIII |              it was already late, M. Segmuller confided to Lecoq’s keeping
 86 XIV  |          summons to appear before M. Segmuller?~Under the power of urgent
 87 XIV  |             were right, then, and M. Segmuller and he, Lecoq, were senseless
 88 XVI  |            another attraction for M. Segmuller’s investigating mind. Given
 89 XVI  |            investigation offices.~M. Segmuller thought that he had better
 90 XVI  |                gruffly ejaculated M. Segmuller, momentarily oblivious of
 91 XVI  |            an excuse cut short by M. Segmuller in such unusually harsh
 92 XVI  |         paper.~In the mean while, M. Segmuller who was usually calmness
 93 XVI  |             nine till ten o’clock M. Segmuller rang for his messenger at
 94 XVI  |              the man had started, M. Segmuller began to recover his composure. “
 95 XVI  |              real matter in hand, M. Segmuller wished to relieve the complacent
 96 XVI  |              s mind; accordingly, M. Segmuller continued: “You must, however,
 97 XVI  |                The messenger whom M. Segmuller had instructed to go in
 98 XVI  |           detective.~Accordingly, M. Segmuller’s envoy retraced his steps,
 99 XVI  |        without a minute’s delay. “M. Segmuller has asked for you a number
100 XVI  |           results. Believing that M. Segmuller was anxiously waiting for
101 XVI  |             photograph—in the man M. Segmuller was examining, his stupefaction
102 XVI  |            had been so brief that M. Segmuller was still forming the order
103 XVI  |               Certainly,” replied M. Segmuller, “and word for word, if
104 XVI  |             everything!” murmured M. Segmuller. The meaning of the scene
105 XVI  |          came in just now?” asked M. Segmuller.~“Yes.”~“She wished to embrace
106 XVI  |             Well, then!” insisted M. Segmuller, “what did you mean by that?”~“
107 XVI  |              to understand, sir.”~M. Segmuller rose. “Don’t prevaricate
108 XVI  |             was based on fact, as M, Segmuller himself perceived the instant
109 XVI  |     Accordingly, she answered all M. Segmuller’s questions with “no” or “
110 XVI  |         unreasoning as a brute’s? M. Segmuller hesitated. “You may retire,
111 XVI  |      mysterious murderer; as both M. Segmuller and Lecoq were forced to
112 XVI  |            it was, did not escape M. Segmuller. “What do you mean?” asked
113 XVI  |    suppositions evidently worried M. Segmuller, who for a moment seemed
114 XVI  |              soon as he perceived M. Segmuller he hastened toward him and
115 XVI  |             magistrate exchanged.~M. Segmuller was plainly perplexed. May’
116 XVI  |           was cut to the quick by M. Segmuller’s implied doubt. What! were
117 XVI  |          most skeptical mind, and M. Segmuller breathed again: “Now that
118 XVI  |          Chupin told me.”~Neither M. Segmuller nor Lecoq could restrain
119 XVI  |              yourself, sir,” said M. Segmuller severely. “You forget that
120 XVII |           way back to his office, M. Segmuller mentally reviewed the position
121 XVII |              various matters that M. Segmuller might at once attend to.
122 XVII |              other witnesses whom M. Segmuller might examine. Papillon,
123 XVII |              from the Prefecture. M. Segmuller at once asked him the result
124 XVII |            the case,” interrupted M. Segmuller, “this visitor must be one
125 XVII |           must be the case,” said M. Segmuller, approvingly. “It will be
126 XVII |                Go, then,” replied M. Segmuller, “and good luck to you!”~
127 XVIII|            the Palais de Justice.~M. Segmuller’s repeated efforts had proved
128 XVIII|              when summoned before M. Segmuller, he ventured to remark in
129 XVIII|              have confessed,” was M. Segmuller’s answer.~“Confessed what?”~“
130 XVIII|               So thus it was that M. Segmuller and Lecoq alone remained
131 XVIII|     sarcastic pleasantry. Nor did M. Segmuller escape scot free; for more
132 XVIII|          When thus assailed, both M. Segmuller and Lecoq could scarcely
133 XVIII|           Henceforth,” he said to M. Segmuller, “I also will constitute
134 XVIII|          this proposal. “I warned M. Segmuller,” said he, “that there would
135 XVIII|              opened the door than M. Segmuller and his clerk rose from
136 XVIII|              pellet of bread upon M. Segmuller’s desk. In an instant the
137 XIX  |        sparkled for an instant in M. Segmuller’s eyes speedily faded away.
138 XIX  |              their armor, had not M. Segmuller opportunely intervened.~“
139 XIX  |            de Justice to acquaint M. Segmuller with what had happened.~“
140 XIX  |          hasn’t read the letter.”~M. Segmuller was no less amazed than
141 XIX  |           gentlemen will retire.”~M. Segmuller had already turned to Lecoq
142 XIX  |              falsehood?” insisted M. Segmuller. “What if I could prove
143 XIX  |           note which he had shown M. Segmuller corresponded with a word
144 XIX  |           face of such obstinacy? M. Segmuller did not even attempt to
145 XIX  | Disappointment alone had impelled M. Segmuller to utter these harsh words;
146 XIX  |            my good fellow,” quoth M. Segmuller, despondently, “that this
147 XIX  |              caught in the snare.~M. Segmuller knew all this, and much
148 XIX  |              Enough!” interrupted M. Segmuller. “I wish to hear no more
149 XIX  |              accord.”~And in fact M. Segmuller did return to it only a
150 XIX  |        without being recognized.”~M. Segmuller made no rejoinder; and it
151 XIX  |              not a bad one,” said M. Segmuller, eventually. “But you must
152 XIX  |             young man interrupted M. Segmuller. “What good would it do
153 XIX  |             The deuce!” exclaimed M. Segmuller; “in that case, what do
154 XIX  |       fleeting flush mantled over M. Segmuller’s forehead. “In a word,”
155 XIX  |      willingly go through fire on M. Segmuller’s behalf. And yet, despite
156 XIX  |              I suppose,” remarked M. Segmuller, who was now quite calm
157 XIX  |            where he is?” inquired M. Segmuller with seeming amazement.~“
158 XIX  |             opinion,” interrupted M. Segmuller.~“But how could he have
159 XIX  |              explain everything.”~M. Segmuller had turned pale with anger. “
160 XIX  |     detective force? Thus thought M. Segmuller, but he had no time for
161 XIX  |              of an hour afterward M. Segmuller, who usually spent considerable
162 XIX  |             s servants,” remarked M. Segmuller. “He’s richer than I, and
163 XIX  |             me such confidence as M. Segmuller.” He had, indeed, good reason
164 XIX  |        himself: for that very day M. Segmuller, who was a man of his word,
165 XIX  |         imprisonment. After this, M. Segmuller had nothing to do but to
166 XIX  |         impression that, although M. Segmuller reserved twenty-four hours
167 XX   |             pocket. “Take this to M. Segmuller at once; it is a matter
168 XX   |      documents confided to him by M. Segmuller, for a particular paper
169 XX   |          good would it do? Hasn’t M. Segmuller examined and cross-examined
170 XXI  |         escape. Oh! I’ve no fears—M. Segmuller will know how to draw the
171 XXII |            have strength to go to M. Segmuller and say: ‘Forgive me: you
172 XXIV |               d’Escorval, he sees M. Segmuller. Then what happens? He is
173 XXIV |           displayed in sending to M. Segmuller for information. I admit