Do you find
the least trace of a drop of water? No. There was then no splash,
therefore no violent fall; therefore the countess was not killed
here; therefore her body was brought here, and carefully deposited
where you found it."
M. Plantat did not seem to be quite convinced yet.
"But there are the traces of a struggle in the sand," said he.
His companion made a gesture of protest.
"Monsieur deigns to have his joke; those marks would not deceive a
school-boy."
"It appears to me, however--"
"There can be no mistake, Monsieur Plantat. Certain it is that the
sand has been disturbed and thrown about. But all these trails that
lay bare the earth which was covered by the sand, were made by the
same foot. Perhaps you don't believe it. They were made, too, with
the end of the foot; that you may see for yourself."
"Yes, I perceive it."
"Very well, then; when there has been a struggle on ground like
this, there are always two distinct kinds of traces--those of the
assailant and those of the victim. The assailant, throwing himself
forward, necessarily supports himself on his toes, and imprints the
fore part of his feet on the earth.
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