d the last
remark you took down."

In a monotonous voice, the smiling clerk repeated: "I should like to
kill the person who dared to say that I knew Lacheneur."

"Well, then!" insisted M. Segmuller, "what did you mean by that?"

"It's very easy to understand, sir."

M. Segmuller rose. "Don't prevaricate any longer," he said. "You
certainly ordered your wife not to say anything about Lacheneur. That's
evident. Why did you do so? What are you afraid of her telling us?
Do you suppose the police are ignorant of your acquaintance with
Lacheneur--of your conversation with him when he came in a cab to the
corner of the waste ground near your mother's wine-shop; and of the
hopes of fortune you based upon his promises? Be guided by me; confess
everything, while there is yet time; and abandon the present course
which may lead you into serious danger. One may be an accomplice in more
ways than one."

As these words fell on Polyte's ears, it was evident his impudence and
indifference had received a severe shock. He seemed confounded, and
hung his head as if thoroughly abashed. Still, he preserved an obstinate
silence; and the magistrate finding that this last thrust had failed to
produce any effect, gave up the fight in despair. He rang the bell, and
ordered the guard to conduct the witness back to prison, and to take
every precaution to prevent him seeing his wife again.

When Polyte had departed, Lecoq reentered the room. "Ah, sir," said he,
despondently, "to think that I didn't draw out of this woman everything
she knew, when I might have done so easily. But I thought you would be
waiting for me, and made haste to bring her here. I thought I was acting
for the best--"

"Never mind, the misfortune can be repaired."

"No, sir, no. Since she has seen her husband, it is quite impossible
to get her to speak. She loves that rascal intensely, and he has a
wonderful influence over her. You heard what he said. He threatened
her with death if she breathed a word about Lacheneur, and she is so
terrified that there is no hope of making her speak."

Lecoq's apprehension was based on fact, as M, Segmuller himself
perceived the instant Toinon the Virtuous again set foot in his office.
The poor creature seemed nearly heartbroken, and it was evident she
would have given her life to retract the words that had escaped her when
first questioned by Lecoq. Polyte's threat had aroused the most sinister
apprehensions in her mind. Not underst