ult case, or one that
embarrassed his conscience, presented itself, his eyes fixed themselves
obstinately upon this ring. If he were satisfied that everything was
right, he looked up again, and began playing with the ring, slipping it
up and down between the first and second joint of his finger; but if he
were displeased, he abruptly turned the bezel inside.

In appearance, he was sufficiently imposing to intimidate even M.
Casimir. The proud valet bowed low as the magistrate approached, and
with his heart in his mouth, and in an obsequious voice he said: "It was
I who took the liberty of sending for you, monsieur."

"Ah!" said the magistrate, who already knew as much about the Hotel
de Chalusse, and the events of the past twelve hours, as M. Casimir
himself; for on his way to the house, he had turned Bourigeau inside out
like a glove, by means of a dozen gentle questions.

"If monsieur wishes I will explain," resumed M. Casimir.

"Nothing! It is quite unnecessary. Usher us in."

This "us" astonished the valet; but before they reached the house it
was explained to him. He discovered a man of flourishing and even jovial
mien who was walking along in the magistrate's shadow carrying a large
black portfolio under his arm. This was evidently the clerk. He seemed
to be as pleased with his employment as he was with himself; and as
he followed M. Casimir, he examined the adornments of the mansion, the
mosaics in the vestibule, the statuary and the frescoed walls with an
appraiser's eye. Perhaps he was calculating how many years' salary it
would require to pay for the decorating of this one staircase.

On the threshold of the death room the magistrate paused. There had been
some change during M. Casimir's absence. The doctor had left. The bed
had been rearranged, and several candles were burning on a table covered
with a white cloth. Madame Leon had gone to her own room, accompanied by
two servants, to fetch a vessel of holy water and a branch of withered
palm. She was now engaged in repeating the prayers for the dead, pausing
from time to time to dip the palm branch in the holy water, and sprinkle
the bed. Both windows had been opened in spite of the cold. On the
marble hearth stood a chafing-dish full of embers from which rose spiral
rings of smoke, filling the room with a pungent odor as a servant poured
some vinegar and sugar on to the coals.

As the magistrate appeared, every one rose up. Then, after bestowing
prolo