ogether after that last answer, and consulted
for some time in whispers.

When the consultation was over, the brothers rose and went into the
room where the dead body of their father was laid out. The three
kissed him, in turn, on the forehead--then took hands together, and
looked meaningly in each other's faces--then separated. Louis and
Thomas put on their hats, and went at once to the priest's residence;
while Jean withdrew by himself to the great room at the back of the
house, which was used for the purposes of the oil factory.

Only one of the workmen was left in the place. He was watching an
immense caldron of boiling linseed-oil.

"You can go home," said Jean, patting the man kindly on the shoulder.
"There is no hope of a night's rest for me, after the affliction that
has befallen us; I will take your place at the caldron. Go home, my
good fellow--go home."

The man thanked him, and withdrew. Jean followed, and satisfied
himself that the workman had really left the house. He then returned,
and sat down by the boiling caldron.

Meanwhile Louis and Thomas presented themselves at the priest's house.
He had not yet retired to bed, and he received them kindly, but with
the same extraordinary agitation in his face and manner which had
surprised all who saw him on the previous day. The brothers were
prepared beforehand with an answer when he inquired what they wanted of
him. They replied immediately that the shock of their father's
horrible death had so seriously affected their aunt and their eldest
sister, that it was feared the minds of both might give way, unless
spiritual consolation and assistance were afforded to them that night.
The unhappy priest--always faithful and self-sacrificing where the
duties of his ministry were in question--at once rose to accompany the
young men back to the house. He even put on his surplice, and took the
crucifix with him, to impress his words of comfort all the more
solemnly on the afflicted women whom he was called on to succor.

Thus innocent of all suspicion of the conspiracy to which he had fallen
a victim, he was taken into the room where Jean sat waiting by the
caldron of oil, and the door was locked behind him.

Before he could speak, Thomas Siadoux openly avowed the truth.

"It is we three who want you," he said; "not our aunt, and not our
sister. If you answer our questions truly, you have nothing to fear.
If you refuse--" He stopped, and looked toward J