mised to meet her on Thursday morning.
She wrote the letter, then, in his apartments. Can we admit that
she had the presence of mind to post the letter in another quarter
than that in which she was? It is at least probable that she was
ignorant of the terrible reasons which Tremorel had to fear a search
and pursuit. Had Hector foresight enough to suggest this trick to
her? No, for if he wasn't a fool he would have told her to post
the letter somewhere outside of Paris. It is therefore scarcely
possible that it was posted anywhere else than at the nearest
branch office."

These suppositions were so simple that M. Plantat wondered he had
not thought of them before. But men do not see clearly in affairs
in which they are deeply interested; passion dims the eyes, as heat
in a room dims a pair of spectacles. He had lost, with his
coolness, a part of his clearsightedness. His anxiety was very
great; for he thought M. Lecoq had a singular mode of keeping his
promise.

"It seems to me," he could not help remarking, "that if you wish
to keep Hector from trial, the men you have summoned together will
be more embarrassing than useful."

M. Lecoq thought that his guest's tone and look betrayed a certain
doubt, and was irritated by it.

"Do you distrust me, Monsieur Plantat?"

The old man tried to protest.

"Believe me--"

"You have my word," resumed M. Lecoq, "and if you knew me better
you would know that I always keep it when I have given it. I have
told you that I would do my best to save Mademoiselle Laurence; but
remember that I have promised you my assistance, not absolute
success. Let me, then, take such measures as I think best."

So saying, he rang for Janouille.

"Here's a letter," said he when she appeared, "which must be sent
to Job at once."

"I will carry it."

"By no means. You will be pleased to remain here and wait for the
men that I sent out this morning. As they come in, send them to
the wine merchant's at the corner of the Rue des Martyrs; you know
it--opposite the church. They'll find a numerous company there."

As he gave his orders, he took off his gown, assumed a long black
coat, and carefully adjusted his wig.

"Will Monsieur be back this evening?" asked Janouille.

"I don't know."

"And if anybody comes from over yonder?"

"Over yonder" with a detective, always means "the house"--otherwise
the prefecture of police.

"Say that I am out on the Corbeil affair."

M. Lecoq was soon rea