Chapter

 1 V    |      while I was waiting for you, sir, before the station-house,
 2 VI   |          questioned the murderer, sir, and have learnt—”~“I have
 3 VI   |      betrayed itself.~“My report, sir, is only a summary,” he
 4 VI   |       interposed. “May I venture, sir, to beg of you to confide
 5 VI   |         of you here.”~“I desired, sir, to collect certain evidence
 6 VII  |     governor, saying: “I beg you, sir, to take charge of this,
 7 VII  |      there anything fresh?”~“Yes, sir; a fact that is apparently
 8 VII  |         not listen to you.”~“But, sir—”~“Enough! the bodies of
 9 VII  |   whatever you think best.”~“But, sir, I must—”~“To-morrow!—to-morrow,
10 IX   |           solve it, I am certain, sir,” exclaimed Lecoq, who at
11 IX   |           great favor to ask you, sir,” he observed.~“What is
12 IX   |         asked M. Segmuller.~“Yes, sir; she is in the gallery outside.”~“
13 IX   |          Chupin, at your service, sir;” so saying, she made a
14 IX   |     lawful widow, you understand, sir; I have my marriage papers
15 IX   | good-for-nothing hussies, my kind sir, heartless, unprincipled
16 IX   |       very simple affair, my good sir,” she began. “I was sitting
17 IX   |         case.~“Precisely, my good sir,” she replied in the most
18 IX   |         were beating him, my good sir, they were killing him.
19 IX   |        themselves?”~“Yes, my good sir.”~“It seems to me impossible
20 IX   |     inform justice—”~“Oh, my good sir!”~“Allow me to finish. All
21 IX   |          not an assassin, my good sir.”~“What do you mean by such
22 IX   |           that, I’m sure, my good sir.”~“Yes, you did, and I will
23 IX   |         you know them?”~“No, good sir, no more than I knew Adam
24 IX   |           I swear to you, my good sir—”~“Do not declare it upon
25 X    |         mind. But think a moment, sir, such a theory would prove
26 X    |          If I were in your place, sir, I would only let him in
27 X    |           great wild beast tamer, sir. Ah! he could boast of a
28 X    |           Ah! I meant no offense, sir,” he sighed. “You questioned
29 X    |              Ah, no, indeed! But, sir, my duty consists in speaking
30 XI   |        truth of this story?”~“Ah! sir, it is seventeen years since
31 XI   |           of course, by the door, sir—by—”~“Yes, by the back door,”
32 XII  |      formalities and rules.”~“Ah! sir, haven’t I told you that
33 XII  |         the cause! Can’t you see, sir, that you are torturing
34 XII  |           know very well, my good sir, that I am as innocent as
35 XII  |          equal:~“Do me the honor, sir, to believe me gifted with
36 XII  |    murmured: “You are very frank, sir. Unfortunately for me, I’
37 XIII |      magistrate.~“I am listening, sir.”~“Ah, well! I have arrived
38 XIII |     confessed it long ago.”~“But, sir, this man is surely not
39 XIII |   exclaimed: “You will recollect, sir, that the Widow Chupin mentioned
40 XIV  |        can starlings talk?”~“Yes, sir, as well as you or I,” rejoined
41 XIV  |          I help that?”~“You hear, sir,” said the hostess, apparently
42 XIV  |     seeking for.”~“Unfortunately, sir, I can tell you nothing
43 XIV  |           20th,” said she. “Look, sir: here on the seventh line—
44 XIV  |        serve you?”~“Come with me, sir; compel them to show us
45 XIV  |        the Rue St. Quentin.~“Now, sir,” said the young detective, “
46 XV   |           soft voice.~“Alas! yes, sir,” replied Toinon the Virtuous,
47 XV   |           Yes, and very unjustly, sir,” replied the neglected
48 XV   |          husband’s friends.”~“Oh! sir.”~“Why, did you not tell
49 XV   |           of the Poivriere?”~“No, sir, I’m quite sure there wasn’
50 XV   |       must know Lacheneur!”~“Yes, sir; I know him.”~The young
51 XVI  |         are a great many of them, sir,” answered Polyte in a harsh
52 XVI  |         them named Gustave?”~“No, sir.”~To insist would probably
53 XVI  |           I am telling the truth, sir,” he retorted. “What interest
54 XVI  |          very easy to understand, sir.”~M. Segmuller rose. “Don’
55 XVI  |          reentered the room. “Ah, sir,” said he, despondently, “
56 XVI  | misfortune can be repaired.”~“No, sir, no. Since she has seen
57 XVI  |        hard at work. “You ask me, sir,” he eventually remarked, “
58 XVI  |          Chupin yesterday?”~“Yes, sir, I went to fetch Chupin
59 XVI  |         in the face—”~“Excuse me, sir, the visitor was a lady—
60 XVI  |       jest. “You forget yourself, sir,” said M. Segmuller severely. “
61 XVII |        result of his errand.~“Ah, sir,” replied the young detective, “
62 XVII |          nothing could be easier, sir,” replied Lecoq. “When the
63 XVII |         intrust the matter to me, sir. If you will authorize me
64 XVII |         said he, “I must ask you, sir, for my liberty; if you
65 XVIII|           a sneering laugh.~“Yes, sir.”~“You will not be very
66 XVIII|         What are you going to do, sir?” he asked.~“I am going
67 XVIII|          to detain him. “Be calm, sir; be calm,” he entreated.~“
68 XVIII|         detained him. “Above all, sir,” said he, “take care that
69 XIX  |           wasted!”~“So you think, sir, that I have wasted my time!”
70 XIX  |    inquired the magistrate.~“Yes, sir.”~“You have, I understand,
71 XIX  |         reflections!”~“Very well, sir, that suits me exactly.
72 XIX  |           you mad?”~“I think not, sir.”~“At all events your scheme
73 XIX  |       most foolish one!”~“Why so, sir? You will recollect the
74 XIX  |        you do?”~“What would I do, sir! I would follow him like
75 XIX  |         at a single glance.”~“No, sir, he wouldn’t, for I should
76 XIX  |           I don’t deceive myself, sir. May will guess the truth
77 XIX  |          this case so well?”~“Ah, sir, unfortunately every one
78 XIX  |       intense embarrassment.~“Ah! sir,” he replied with a great
79 XIX  |   inquired the magistrate.~“Well, sir, I think an order should
80 XIX  |           seeming amazement.~“No, sir, I did not say that. I am
81 XIX  |        the magistrate.~“Ah, well, sir! I will be perfectly frank
82 XIX  |       profession. And, mark this, sir—I don’t doubt Gevrol’s honesty.
83 XIX  |         your master?”~“Improving, sir,” was the reply. “He sent
84 XIX  |        exclaiming: “Do you think, sir, that May will recognize
85 XIX  | astonished magistrate.~“The same, sir; and I have come to tell
86 XX   |           you an Alsatian?”~“Yes, sir. Well, I went with this
87 XX   |             You may rely upon me, sir,” replied Fritz. “I have
88 XX   |           In the dark room there, sir. By leaving the door ajar