"I think that we shall be able to manage it. But, first of all, so that
I may do what I have undertaken to do, I want more precise information,
fuller details. Where was the paper?"

"In the crystal stopper, as we thought," said Mme. Mergy.

"And where was the crystal stopper?"

"In an object which Daubrecq came and fetched, a few days ago, from the
writing-desk in his study in the Square Lamartine, an object which I
took from him yesterday."

"What sort of object?"

"Simply a packet of tobacco, Maryland tobacco, which used to lie about
on the desk."

Prasville was petrified. He muttered, guilelessly:

"Oh, if I had only known! I've had my hand on that packet of Maryland a
dozen times! How stupid of me!"

"What does it matter?" said Clarisse. "The great thing is that the
discovery is made."

Prasville pulled a face which implied that the discovery would have been
much pleasanter if he himself had made it. Then he asked:

"So you have the list?"

"Yes."

"Show it to me."

And, when Clarisse hesitated, he added:

"Oh, please, don't be afraid! The list belongs to you, and I will give
it back to you. But you must understand that I cannot take the step in
question without making certain."

Clarisse consulted M. Nicole with a glance which did not escape
Prasville. Then she said:

"Here it is."

He seized the scrap of paper with a certain excitement, examined it and
almost immediately said:

"Yes, yes... the secretary's writing: I recognize it.... And the
signature of the chairman of the company: the signature in red....
Besides, I have other proofs.... For instance, the torn piece which
completes the left-hand top corner of this sheet..."

He opened his safe and, from a special cash-box, produced a tiny piece
of paper which he put against the top left corner:

"That's right. The torn edges fit exactly. The proof is undeniable. All
that remains is to verify the make of this foreign-post-paper."

Clarisse was radiant with delight. No one would have believed that the
most terrible torture had racked her for weeks and weeks and that she
was still bleeding and quivering from its effects.

While Prasville was holding the paper against a window-pane, she said to
Lupin:

"I insist upon having Gilbert informed this evening. He must be so
awfully unhappy!"

"Yes," said Lupin. "Besides, you can go to his lawyer and tell him."

She continued:

"And then I must see Gilbert to-morrow. Prasville can th