r he did not
dare. That is how I read it, and I believe that now these
gentlemen are disposed to agree with me."

"In theory, certainly," said the Judge, heartily. "But oh! for
some more positive proof of this change of character! If we could
only identify the corpse, prove clearly that it is not Quadling.
And still more, if we had not let this so-called Ripaldi slip
through our fingers! You will never find him, M. Flocon, never."

The detective hung his head in guilty admission of this reproach.

"We may help you in both these difficulties, gentlemen," said Sir
Charles, pleasantly. "My friend here, Colonel Papillon, can speak
as to the man Quadling. He knew him well in Rome, a year or two
ago."

"Please wait one moment only;" the detective touched a bell, and
briefly ordered two fiacres to the door at once.

"That is right, M. Flocon," said the Judge. "We will all go to the
Morgue. The body is there by now. You will not refuse your
assistance, monsieur?"

"One moment. As to the other matter, M. le General?" went on M.
Flocon. "Can you help us to find this miscreant, whoever he may
be?"

"Yes. The man who calls himself Ripaldi is to be found--or, at
least, you would have found him an hour or so ago--at the Hotel
Ivoire, Rue Bellechasse. But time has been lost, I fear."

"Nevertheless, we will send there."

"The woman Hortense was also with him when last I heard of them."

"How do you know?" began the detective, suspiciously.

"Psha!" interrupted the Judge; "that will keep. This is the time
for action, and we owe too much to the General to distrust him
now."

"Thank you; I am pleased to hear you say that," went on Sir
Charles. "But if I have been of some service to you, perhaps you
owe me a little in return. That poor lady! Think what she is
suffering. Surely, to oblige me, you will now set her free?"

"Indeed, monsieur, I fear--I do not see how, consistently with my
duty"--protested the Judge.

"At least allow her to return to her hotel. She can remain there
at your disposal. I will promise you that."

"How can you answer for her?"

"She will do what I ask, I think, if I may send her just two or
three lines."

The Judge yielded, smiling at the General's urgency, and shrewdly
guessing what it implied.

Then the three departures from the Prefecture took place within a
short time of each other.

A posse of police went to arrest Ripaldi; the Countess returned to
the Hotel Madagascar; and the Judg