q was just leaving the court-house when he felt himself
pulled by the arm. He turned and found that it was Goulard who
came to beg his favor and to ask him to take him along, persuaded
that after having served under so great a captain he must inevitably
become a famous man himself. M. Lecoq had some difficulty in
getting rid of him; but he at length found himself alone in the
street with the old justice of the peace.

"It is late," said the latter. "Would it be agreeable to you to
partake of another modest dinner with me, and accept my cordial
hospitality?"

"I am chagrined to be obliged to refuse you," replied M. Lecoq.
"But I ought to be in Paris this evening."

"But I--in fact, I--was very anxious to talk to you--about--"

"About Mademoiselle Laurence?"

"Yes; I have a plan, and if you would help me--"

M. Lecoq affectionately pressed his friend's hand.

"I have only known you a few hours," said he, "and yet I am as
devoted to you as I would be to an old friend. All that is humanly
possible for me to do to serve you, I shall certainly do."

"But where shall I see you? They expect me to-day at Orcival."

"Very well; to-morrow morning at nine, at my rooms. No--Rue
Montmartre."

"A thousand thanks; I shall be there."

When they had reached the Belle Image they separated.

XXIV

Nine o'clock had just struck in the belfry of the church of St.
Eustache, when M. Plantat reached Rue Montmartre, and entered the
house bearing the number which M. Lecoq had given him.

"Monsieur Lecoq?" said he to an old woman who was engaged in getting
breakfast for three large cats which were mewing around her. The
woman scanned him with a surprised and suspicious air. M. Plantat,
when he was dressed up, had much more the appearance of a fine old
gentleman than of a country attorney; and though the detective
received many visits from all sorts of people, it was rarely that
the denizens of the Faubourg Saint Germaine rung his bell.

"Monsieur Lecoq's apartments," answered the old woman, "are on the
third story, the door facing the stairs."

The justice of the peace slowly ascended the narrow, ill-lighted
staircase, which in its dark corners was almost dangerous. He was
thinking of the strange step he was about to take. An idea had
occurred to him, but he did not know whether it were practicable,
and at all events he needed the aid and advice of the detective.
He was forced to disclose his