clamor
arose. "A robbery has been committed!" cried the servants, in concert.
"Mademoiselle had the key. It is wrong to suspect the innocent!"

Revolting as this exhibition was, it did not modify the magistrate's
calmness. He had witnessed too many such scenes in the course of
his career, and, at least, a score of times he had been compelled to
interpose between children who had come to blows over their inheritance
before their father's body was even cold. "Silence!" he commanded
sternly. And as the tumult did not cease, as the servants continued
to cry, "The thief must be found. We shall have no difficulty in
discovering the culprit," the magistrate exclaimed, still more
imperiously: "Another word, and you all leave the room."

They were silenced; but there was a mute eloquence about their looks and
gestures which it was impossible to misunderstand. Every eye was fixed
upon Mademoiselle Marguerite with an almost ferocious expression. She
knew it only too well; but, sublime in her energy, she stood, with her
head proudly erect, facing the storm, and disdaining to answer these
vile imputations. However she had a protector near by--the magistrate in
person. "If this treasure has been diverted from the inheritance," said
he, "the thief will be discovered and punished. But I wish to have one
point explained--who said that Mademoiselle Marguerite had the key of
the escritoire?"

"I did," replied a footman. "I was in the dining-room yesterday morning
when the count gave it to her."

"For what purpose did he give it to her?"

"That she might obtain this vial--I recognized it at once. She brought
it down to him."

"Did she return the key?"

"Yes; she gave it to him when she handed him the vial, and I saw him put
it in his pocket."

The magistrate pointed to the bottle which was standing on the shelf.
"Then the count himself must have put the vial back in its place," said
he. "Further comment is unnecessary; for, if the money had then been
missing, he could not have failed to discover the fact." No one had
any reply to make to this quiet defence, which was, at the same time,
a complete vindication. "And, besides," continued the magistrate, "who
told you that this immense sum would be found here? Did you know it?
Which one of you knew it?" And as nobody still ventured any remark,
he added in an even more severe tone, and without seeming to notice
Mademoiselle Marguerite's look of gratitude, "It is by no means a proof
o