est."

"Nor in that mysterious intricacy which you prize so highly--"

"And which is so stimulating, Monsieur le Juge d'Instruction! I know
nothing more exciting than to see all the facts coming up out of the
shadow, clustering together, so to speak, and gradually forming the
probable truth."

"The probable truth! You go pretty fast, young man! Do you suggest that
you have your little solution of the riddle ready?"

"Oh, no!" replied Beautrelet, with a laugh.

"Only--it seems to me that there are certain points on which it is not
impossible to form an opinion; and others, even, are so precise as to
warrant--a conclusion."

"Oh, but this is becoming very curious and I shall get to know
something at last! For I confess, to my great confusion, that I know
nothing."

"That is because you have not had time to reflect, Monsieur le Juge
d'Instruction. The great thing is to reflect. Facts very seldom fail to
carry their own explanation!"

"And, according to you, the facts which we have just ascertained carry
their own explanation?"

"Don't you think so yourself? In any case, I have ascertained none
besides those which are set down in the official report."

"Good! So that, if I were to ask you which were the objects stolen from
this room--"

"I should answer that I know."

"Bravo! My gentleman knows more about it than the owner himself. M. de
Gesvres has everything accounted for: M. Isidore Beautrelet has not. He
misses a bookcase in three sections and a life-size statue which nobody
ever noticed. And, if I asked you the name of the murderer?"

"I should again answer that I know it."

All present gave a start. The deputy and the journalist drew nearer. M.
de Gesvres and the two girls, impressed by Beautrelet's tranquil
assurance, listened attentively.

"You know the murderer's name?"

"Yes."

"And the place where he is concealed, perhaps?"

"Yes."

M. Filleul rubbed his hands.

"What a piece of luck! This capture will do honor to my career. And can
you make me these startling revelations now?"

"Yes, now--or rather, if you do not mind, in an hour or two, when I
shall have assisted at your inquiry to the end."

"No, no, young man, here and now, please." At that moment Raymonde de
Saint-Veran, who had not taken her eyes from Isidore Beautrelet since
the beginning of this scene, came up to M. Filleul:

"Monsieur le Juge d'Instruction--"

"Yes, mademoiselle?"

She hesitated for two or three seconds