r a long time."

"God knows this poor Guespin is not an interesting youth," returned
the detective. "I should be disposed to press him hard were I not
certain that he's half a fool."

M. Domini gave a start.

"I shall discharge him this very day," said he, "this very hour."

"It will be an act of charity," said M. Lecoq; "but confound his
obstinacy; it was so easy for him to simplify my task. I might be
able, by the aid of chance, to collect the principal facts--the
errand, and a woman being mixed up in the affair; but as I'm no
magician, I couldn't guess all the details. How is Jenny mixed
up in this affair? Is she an accomplice, or has she only been
made to play an ignorant part in it? Where did she meet Guespin
and whither did she lead him? It is clear that she made the poor
fellow tipsy so as to prevent his going to the Batignolles.
Tremorel must have told her some false story--but what?"

"I don't think Tremorel troubled his head about so small a matter,"
said M. Plantat. "He gave Guespin and Jenny some task, without
explaining it at all."

M. Lecoq reflected a moment.

"Perhaps you are right. But Jenny must have had special orders to
prevent Guespin from putting in an alibi."

"But," said M. Domini, "Jenny will explain it all to us."

"That is what I rely on; and I hope that within forty-eight hours
I shall have found her and brought her safely to Corbeil."

He rose at these words, took his cane and hat, and turning to the
judge, said:

"Before retiring--"

"Yes, I know," interrupted M. Domini, "you want a warrant to arrest
Hector de Tremorel."

"I do, as you are now of my opinion that he is still alive."

"I am sure of it."

M. Domini opened his portfolio and wrote off a warrant as follows:

"By the law:
"We, judge of instruction of the first tribunal, etc., considering
articles 91 and 94 of the code of criminal instruction, command and
ordain to all the agents of the police to arrest, in conformity
with the law, one Hector de Tremorel, etc."

When he had finished, he said:

"Here it is, and may you succeed in speedily finding this great
criminal."

"Oh, he'll find him," cried the Corbeil policeman.

"I hope so, at least. As to how I shall go to work, I don't know
yet. I will arrange my plan of battle to-night."

The detective then took leave of M. Domini and retired, followed
by M. Plantat. The doctor remained with the judge to make
arrangements for Sauvresy's exhumation.

M. Leco