pened that while
some unsuspecting culprit was complacently congratulating himself upon
getting the best of the judge, the poor wretch was really being turned
inside out like a glove.

By the side of such a man as M. Segmuller a grave and slender clerk
would have excited distrust; so he had chosen one who was a caricature
of himself. This clerk's name was Goguet. He was short but corpulent,
and his broad, beardless face habitually wore a silly smile, not out of
keeping with his intellect, which was none of the brightest.

As stated above, when Lecoq entered M. Segmuller's room the latter was
busy studying the case which had so unexpectedly fallen into his hands.
All the articles which the young detective had collected, from the
flakes of wool to the diamond earring, were spread out upon the
magistrate's desk. With the greatest attention, he perused the report
prepared by Lecoq, and according to the different phases of the affair,
he examined one or another of the objects before him, or else consulted
the plan of the ground.

"A good half-hour elapsed before he had completed his inspection, when
he threw himself back in his armchair. Monsieur Lecoq," he said, slowly,
"Monsieur d'Escorval has informed me by a note on the margin of this
file of papers that you are an intelligent man, and that we can trust
you."

"I am willing, at all events."

"You speak too slightingly of yourself; this is the first time that an
agent has brought me a report as complete as yours. You are young, and
if you persevere, I think you will be able to accomplish great things in
your profession."

Nervous with delight, Lecoq bowed and stammered his thanks.

"Your opinion in this matter coincides with mine," continued M.
Segmuller, "and the public prosecutor informs me that M. d'Escorval
shares the same views. An enigma is before us; and it ought to be
solved."

"Oh!--we'll solve it, I am certain, sir," exclaimed Lecoq, who at this
moment felt capable of the most extraordinary achievements. Indeed,
he would have gone through fire and water for the magistrate who had
received him so kindly, and his enthusiasm sparkled so plainly in his
eyes that M. Segmuller could not restrain a smile.

"I have strong hopes of it myself," he responded; "but we are far
from the end. Now, what have you been doing since yesterday? Did
M. d'Escorval give you any orders? Have you obtained any fresh
information?"

"I don't think I have wasted my time," repli