ivision."

This was an explanation, and such a plausable one, that M. d'Escorval
was silent, reflecting before he announced his decision. "Decidedly,"
he declared at last, "decidedly, I adopt the hypothesis set forth in the
report. Who prepared it?"

Gevrol's face turned red with anger. "One of my men," he replied, "a
clever, adroit fellow, Monsieur Lecoq. Come forward, Lecoq, that the
magistrate may see you."

The young man advanced, his lips tightly compressed so as to conceal a
smile of satisfaction which almost betrayed itself.

"My report, sir, is only a summary," he began, "but I have certain
ideas--"

"Which you will acquaint me with, when I ask for them," interrupted the
magistrate. And oblivious of Lecoq's chagrin, he drew from his clerk's
portfolio two forms, which he filled up and handed to Gevrol, saying:
"Here are two orders; take them to the station, where the murderer and
the landlady of this cabin are confined, and have them conducted to the
prefecture, where they will be privately examined."

Having given these directions, M. d'Escorval was turning toward the
physicians, when Lecoq, at the risk of a second rebuff, interposed. "May
I venture, sir, to beg of you to confide this message to me?" he asked
of the investigating magistrate.

"Impossible, I may have need of you here."

"I desired, sir, to collect certain evidence and an opportunity to do so
may not present itself again."

The magistrate perhaps fathomed the young man's motive. "Then, let it be
so," he replied, "but after your task is completed you must wait for
me at the prefecture, where I shall proceed as soon as I have finished
here. You may go."

Lecoq did not wait for the order to be repeated. He snatched up the
papers, and hastened away.

He literally flew over the ground, and strange to say he no longer
experienced any fatigue from the labors of the preceding night. Never
had he felt so strong and alert, either in body or mind. He was
very hopeful of success. He had every confidence in himself, and his
happiness would indeed have been complete if he had had another judge
to deal with. But M. d'Escorval overawed him to such a degree that he
became almost paralyzed in his presence. With what a disdainful glance
the magistrate had surveyed him! With what an imperious tone he had
imposed silence upon him--and that, too, when he had found his work
deserving of commendation.

"Still, never mind," the young detective mentally exc