, who was
a great talker--"the thief entered the garden before the rain, and went
away after it, as you had conjectured. This circumstance is easy to
establish by examining the marks on the wall of the ascent and the
descent on the side towards the street. These marks are several
abrasions, evidently made by feet of some one climbing. The first are
clean; the others, muddy. The scamp--he was a nimble fellow--in getting
in, pulled himself up by the strength of his wrists; but when going
away, he enjoyed the luxury of a ladder, which he threw down as soon as
he was on the top of the wall. It is to see where he placed it, by holes
made in the ground by the fellow's weight; and also by the mortar which
has been knocked away from the top of the wall."

"Is that all?" asked the magistrate.

"Not yet, sir. Three of the pieces of glass which cover the top of the
wall have been removed. Several of the acacia branches, which extend
over the wall have been twisted or broken. Adhering to the thorns of
one of these branches, I found this little piece of lavender kid, which
appears to me to belong to a glove."

The magistrate eagerly seized the piece of kid.

It had evidently come from a glove.

"You took care, I hope, M. Martin," said M. Daburon, "not to attract
attention at the house where you made this investigation?"

"Certainly, sir. I first of all examined the exterior of the wall at my
leisure. After that, leaving my hat at a wine shop round the corner,
I called at the Marchioness d'Arlange's house, pretending to be the
servant of a neighbouring duchess, who was in despair at having lost a
favourite, and, if I may so speak, an eloquent parrot. I was very
kindly given permission to explore the garden; and, as I spoke as
disrespectfully as possible of my pretended mistress they, no doubt,
took me for a genuine servant."

"You are an adroit and prompt fellow, M. Martin," interrupted the
magistrate. "I am well satisfied with you; and I will report you
favourably at headquarters."

He rang his bell, while the detective, delighted at the praise he had
received, moved backwards to the door, bowing the while.

Albert was then brought in.

"Have you decided, sir," asked the investigating magistrate without
preamble, "to give me a true account of how you spent last Tuesday
evening?"

"I have already told you, sir."

"No, sir, you have not; and I regret to say that you lied to me."

Albert, at this apparent insult, turne