"
M. Domini interrupted the examination to consult some papers which
lay before him on his desk. It was, he found, the Gentil Jardinier
which had procured Guespin his place in Tremorel's household. The
judge remarked this aloud, and added:
"The question of identity seems to be settled. Guespin was
undoubtedly at the Vulcan's Forges on Wednesday night."
"So much the better for him," M. Lecoq could not help muttering.
The judge heard him, but though the remark seemed singular to him
he did not notice it, and went on questioning the agent.
"Well, did they tell you what Guespin went there to obtain?"
"The clerks recollected it perfectly. He first bought a hammer,
a cold chisel, and a file."
"I knew it," exclaimed the judge. "And then?"
"Then--"
Here the man, ambitious to make a sensation among his hearers,
rolled his eyes tragically, and in a dramatic tone, added:
"Then he bought a dirk knife!"
The judge felt that he was triumphing over M. Lecoq.
"Well," said he to the detective in his most ironical tone, "what
do you think of your friend now? What do you say to this honest
and worthy young man, who, on the very night of the crime, leaves
a wedding where he would have had a good time, to go and buy a
hammer, a chisel, and a dirk--everything, in short, used in the
murder and the mutilation of the body?"
Dr.
Pages:
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399