say more; if there is any
uncertainty, my opinion is that the accused, and not the prosecution,
should have the benefit of it."

This was certainly not the detective's opinion, but he was cautious
not to say so. He had followed Dr. Gendron with anxious attention,
and the contraction of his face showed the travail of his mind.

"It seems to me now possible," said he, "to determine how and where
the countess was struck."

The doctor had covered the body, and Plantat had replaced the lamp
on the little table. Both asked M. Lecoq to explain himself.

"Very well," resumed the detective. "The direction of the wound
proves to me that the countess was in her chamber taking tea,
seated, her body inclined a little forward, when she was murdered.
The assassin came up behind her with his arm raised; he chose his
position coolly, and struck her with terrific force. The violence
of the blow was such that the victim fell forward, and in the fall,
her forehead struck the end of the table; she thus gave herself the
only fatal blow which we have discovered on the head."

M. Gendron looked from one to the other of his companions, who
exchanged significant glances. Perhaps he suspected the game they
were playing.

"The crime must evidently have been committed as you say," said he.

There was another embarrassing silence. M. Lecoq's obstinate
muteness annoyed Plantat, who finally asked him:

"Have you seen all you want to see?"

"All for to-day; I shall need daylight for what remains. I am
confident, indeed, that with the exception of one detail that
worries me, I have the key to the mystery."

"We must be here, then, early to-morrow morning."

"I will be here at any hour you will name."

"Your search finished, we will go together to Monsieur Domini, at
Corbeil."

"I am quite at your orders."

There was another pause.

M. Plantat perceived that M. Lecoq guessed his thoughts; and did
not understand the detective's capriciousness; a little while before,
he had been very loquacious, but now held his tongue. M. Lecoq, on
the other hand, was delighted to puzzle the old man a little, and
formed the intention to astonish him the next morning, by giving
him a report which should faithfully reflect all his ideas.
Meanwhile he had taken out his lozenge-box, and was intrusting a
hundred secrets to the portrait.

"Well," said the doctor, "there remains nothing more to be done
except to retire."

"I was just going to ask permissi