r everything."

"Did you go downstairs at the same time those people did?"

"No, no; I remained near the general for some time, until he was sound
asleep."

"And you heard nothing?"

"Nothing."

"You closed the doors behind those persons?"

"Yes, the door to the great staircase. The door of the servants'
stairway was condemned a long time ago; it has been locked by me,
I alone have the key and on the inside of the door opening into the
general's chamber there is also a bolt which is always shot. All the
other doors of the chambers have been condemned by me. In order to enter
any of the four rooms on this floor it is necessary now to pass by the
door of my chamber, which gives on the main staircase."

"Perfect. Then, no one has been able to enter the apartment. No one
had been in the apartment for at least two hours excepting you and the
general, when you heard the clockwork. From that the only conclusion is
that only the general and you could have started it going."

"What are you trying to say?" Matrena demanded, astounded.

"I wish to prove to you by this absurd conclusion, madame, that it is
necessary never--never, you understand? Never--to reason solely upon
even the most evident external evidence when those seemingly-conclusive
appearances are in conflict with certain moral truths that also are
clear as the light of day. The light of day for me, madame, is that the
general does not desire to commit suicide and, above all, that he would
not choose the strange method of suicide by clockwork. The light of
day for me is that you adore your husband and that you are ready to
sacrifice your life for his."

"Now!" exclaimed Matrena, whose tears, always ready in emotional moments,
flowed freely. "But, Holy Mary, why do you speak to me without looking
at me? What is it? What is it?"

"Don't turn! Don't make a movement! You hear--not a move! And speak low,
very low. And don't cry, for the love of God!"

"But you say at once... the bouquet! Come to the general's room!"

"Not a move. And continue listening to me without interrupting," said
he, still inclining his ear, and still without looking at her. "It
is because these things were as the light of day to me that I say to
myself, 'It is impossible that it should be impossible for a third
person not to have placed the bomb in the bouquet. Someone is able to
enter the general's chamber even when the general is watching and all
the doors are locked.'"

"Oh, no.