ith a very
perceptible sneer.

"That we shall certainly do. Trust to Block, who is very nearly
concerned. His future depends on his success. You quite understand
that, my man?"

Block made a gesture half-deprecating, half-confident.

"I do not despair, gentlemen; and if I might make so bold, sir, I
will ask you to assist? If you would give orders direct from the
Prefecture to make the round of the cab-stands, to ask of all the
agents in charge the information we need? Before night we shall
have heard from the cabman who drove them what became of this
couple, and so get our birds themselves, or a point of fresh
departure."

"And you, Block, where shall you go?"

"Where I left him, or rather where he left me," replied the
inspector, with an attempt at wit, which fell quite flat, being
extinguished by a frigid look from the Judge.

"Go," said M. Flocon, briefly and severely, to his subordinate;
"and remember that you have now to justify your retention on the
force."

Then, turning to M. Beaumont le Hardi, the Chief went on
pleasantly:

"Well, M. le Juge, it promises, I think; it is all fairly
satisfactory, eh?"

"I am sorry I cannot agree with you," replied the Judge, harshly.
"On the contrary, I consider that we--or more exactly you, for
neither I nor M. Garraud accept any share in it--you have so far
failed, and miserably."

"Your pardon, M. le Juge, you are too severe," protested M.
Flocon, quite humbly.

"Well! Look at it from all points of view. What have we got? What
have we gained? Nothing, or, if anything, it is of the smallest,
and it is already jeopardized, if not absolutely lost."

"We have at least gained the positive assurance of the guilt of
certain individuals."

"Whom you have allowed to slip through your fingers."

"Ah, not so, M. le Juge! We have one under surveillance. My man
Galipaud is there at the hotel watching the Countess."

"Do not talk to me of your men, M. Flocon," angrily interposed the
Judge. "One of them has given us a touch of his quality. Why
should not the other be equally foolish? I quite expect to hear
that the Countess also has gone, that would be the climax!"

"It shall not happen. I will take the warrant and arrest her now,
at once, myself," cried M. Flocon.

"Well, that will be something, yet not much. Yes, she is only one,
and not to my mind the most criminal. We do not know as yet the
exact responsibility of each, the exact measure of their guilt;
but I d