ried it to his lips. Oh! thanks, sir, a thousand thanks! I should
like to be permitted to witness the arrest; and I shall be glad to
assist at the perquisitions."

"I intended to ask you to do so, M. Tabaret," answered the magistrate.

The lamps paled in the gray dawn of the morning; already the rumbling of
vehicles was heard; Paris was awaking.

"I have no time to lose," continued M. Daburon, "if I would have all my
measures well taken. I must at once see the public prosecutor, whether
he is up or not. I shall go direct from his house to the Palais de
Justice, and be there before eight o'clock; and I desire, M. Tabaret,
that you will there await my orders."

The old fellow bowed his thanks and was about to leave, when the
magistrate's servant appeared.

"Here is a note, sir," said he, "which a gendarme has just brought from
Bougival. He waits an answer."

"Very well," replied M. Daburon. "Ask the man to have some refreshment;
at least offer him a glass of wine."

He opened the envelope. "Ah!" he cried, "a letter from Gevrol;" and he
read:

"'To the investigating magistrate. Sir, I have the honour to inform you,
that I am on the track of the man with the earrings. I heard of him at
a wine shop, which he entered on Sunday morning, before going to Widow
Lerouge's cottage. He bought, and paid for two litres of wine; then,
suddenly striking his forehead, he cried, "Old fool! to forget that
to-morrow is the boat's fete day!" and immediately called for three
more litres. According to the almanac the boat must be called the
Saint-Martin. I have also learned that she was laden with grain. I write
to the Prefecture at the same time as I write to you, that inquiries may
be made at Paris and Rouen. He will be found at one of those places. I
am in waiting, sir, etc.'"

"Poor Gevrol!" cried old Tabaret, bursting with laughter. "He sharpens
his sabre, and the battle is over. Are you not going to put a stop to
his inquiries, sir?"

"No; certainly not," answered M. Daburon; "to neglect the slightest clue
often leads one into error. Who can tell what light we may receive from
this mariner?"

CHAPTER VIII.

On the same day that the crime of La Jonchere was discovered, and
precisely at the hour that M. Tabaret made his memorable examination
in the victim's chamber, the Viscount Albert de Commarin entered his
carriage, and proceeded to the Northern railway station, to meet his
father.

The young man was very pale: