Lecoq, and asked
if she should admit him.
"Certainly."
The chains clanked and the locks scraped, and presently Goulard
made his appearance. He had donned his best clothes, with spotless
linen, and a very high collar. He was respectful, and stood as
stiffly as a well-drilled grenadier before his sergeant.
"What the deuce brought you here?" said M. Lecoq, sternly. "And
who dared to give you my address?"
"Monsieur," said Goulard, visibly intimidated by his reception,
"please excuse me; I was sent by Doctor Gendron with this letter
for Monsieur Plantat."
"Oh," cried M. Plantat, "I asked the doctor, last evening, to let
me know the result of the autopsy, and not knowing where I should
put up, took the liberty of giving your address."
M. Lecoq took the letter and handed it to his guest. "Read it,
read it," said the latter. "There is nothing in it to conceal."
"All right; but come into the other room. Janouille, give this man
some breakfast. Make yourself at home, Goulard, and empty a bottle
to my health."
When the door of the other room was closed, M. Lecoq broke the seal
of the letter, and read:
"MY DEAR PLANTAT:
"You asked me for a word, so I scratch off a line or two which I
shall send to our sorcerer's--"
"Oh, ho," cried M.
Pages:
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441