As long as he
thought he could, by misleading me, make me follow M. Domini's tack,
he followed and aided me showing me the way. Now that he sees me
on the scent, he crosses his arms and retires. He wants to leave
me the honor of the discovery. Why? He lives here--perhaps he
is afraid of making enemies. No. He isn't a man to fear much of
anything. What then? He shrinks from his own thoughts. He has
found something so amazing, that he dares not explain himself."
A sudden reflection changed the course of M. Lecoq's confidences.
"A thousand imps!" thought he. "Suppose I'm wrong! Suppose this
old fellow is not shrewd at all! Suppose he hasn't discovered
anything, and only obeys the inspirations of chance! I've seen
stranger things. I've known so many of these folks whose eyes
seem so very mysterious, and announce such wonders; after all, I
found nothing, and was cheated. But I intend to sound this old
fellow well."
And, assuming his most idiotic manner, he said aloud:
"On reflection, Monsieur, little remains to be done. Two of the
principals are in custody, and when they make up their minds to
talk--they'll do it, sooner or later, if the judge is determined
they shall--we shall know all.
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