ld misunderstand.
So deep a villain as Jacques Collin takes good care not to let such a
weapon slip through his fingers. What is to be said if these documents
should be placed in the hands of counsel chosen by that rascal from
among the foes of the government and the aristocracy!--My wife, to whom
the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse has shown so much kindness, is gone to warn
her, and by this time they must be with the Grandlieus holding council."

"But we cannot possibly try the man!" cried the public prosecutor,
rising and striding up and down the room. "He must have put the papers
in some safe place----"

"I know where," said Camusot.

These words finally effaced every prejudice the public prosecutor had
felt against him.

"Well, then----" said Monsieur de Granville, sitting down again.

"On my way here this morning I reflected deeply on this miserable
business. Jacques Collin has an aunt--an aunt by nature, not putative--a
woman concerning whom the superior police have communicated a report to
the Prefecture. He is this woman's pupil and idol; she is his father's
sister, her name is Jacqueline Collin. This wretched woman carries on a
trade as a wardrobe purchaser, and by the connection this business has
secured her she gets hold of many family secrets. If Jacques Collin
has intrusted those papers, which would be his salvation, to any one's
keeping, it is to that of this creature. Have her arrested."

The public prosecutor gave Camusot a keen look, as much as to say, "This
man is not such a fool as I thought him; he is still young, and does not
yet know how to handle the reins of justice."

"But," Camusot went on, "in order to succeed, we must give up all
the plans we laid yesterday, and I came to take your advice--your
orders----"

The public prosecutor took up his paper-knife and tapped it against
the edge of the table with one of the tricky movements familiar to
thoughtful men when they give themselves up to meditation.

"Three noble families involved!" he exclaimed. "We must not make the
smallest blunder!--You are right: as a first step let us act on Fouche's
principle, 'Arrest!'--and Jacques Collin must at once be sent back to
the secret cells."

"That is to proclaim him a convict and to ruin Lucien's memory!"

"What a desperate business!" said Monsieur de Granville. "There is
danger on every side."

At this instant the governor of the Conciergerie came in, not without
knocking; and the private room of a