haven't
even been in bed."

"There is news, then? Has the count's body been found?"

"There is much news, Monsieur," said M. Lecoq. "But the count's
body has not been found, and I dare even say that it will not be
found--for the very simple fact that he has not been killed. The
reason is that he was not one of the victims, as at first supposed,
but the assassin."

At this distinct declaration on M. Lecoq's part, the judge started
in his seat.

"Why, this is folly!" cried he.

M. Lecoq never smiled in a magistrate's presence. "I do not think
so," said he, coolly; "I am persuaded that if Monsieur Domini will
grant me his attention for half an hour I will have the honor of
persuading him to share my opinion."

M. Domini's slight shrug of the shoulders did not escape the
detective, but he calmly continued:

"More; I am sure that Monsieur Domini will not permit me to leave
his cabinet without a warrant to arrest Count Hector de Tremorel,
whom at present he thinks to be dead."

"Possibly," said M. Domini. "Proceed."

M. Lecoq then rapidly detailed the facts gathered by himself and M.
Plantat from the beginning of the inquest. He narrated them not as
if he had guessed or been told of them, but in their order of time
and in such a manner that each new incident which, he mentioned
followed naturally from the preceding one. He had completely
resumed his character of a retired haberdasher, with a little piping
voice, and such obsequious expressions as, "I have the honor," and
"If Monsieur the Judge will deign to permit me;" he resorted to the
candy-box with the portrait, and, as the night before at Valfeuillu,
chewed a lozenge when he came to the more striking points. M.
Domini's surprise increased every minute as he proceeded; while at
times, exclamations of astonishment passed his lips: "Is it
possible?" "That is hard to believe!"

M. Lecoq finished his recital; he tranquilly munched a lozenge, and
added:

"What does Monsieur the Judge of Instruction think now?"

M. Domini was fain to confess that he was almost satisfied. A man,
however, never permits an opinion deliberately and carefully formed
to be refuted by one whom he looks on as an inferior, without a
secret chagrin. But in this case the evidence was too abundant,
and too positive to be resisted.

"I am convinced," said he, "that a crime was committed on Monsieur
Sauvresy with the dearly paid assistance of this Robelot. To-morrow
I shall give instructi