proprietor of the circus is right," said the justice, "because he
will soon require them. A caravan and horses will be useful to him. He,
too, will depart to-day. The reverend gentlemen of the parish of
Southwark have complained of the indecent riot in Tarrinzeau field. The
sheriff has taken his measures. To-night there will not be a single
juggler's booth in the place. There must be an end of all these
scandals. The honourable gentleman who deigns to be here present--"

The justice of the quorum interrupted his speech to salute Barkilphedro,
who returned the bow.

"The honourable gentleman who deigns to be present has just arrived from
Windsor. He brings orders. Her Majesty has said, 'It must be swept
away.'"

Ursus, during his long meditation all night, had not failed to put
himself some questions. After all, he had only seen a bier. Could he be
sure that it contained Gwynplaine? Other people might have died besides
Gwynplaine. A coffin does not announce the name of the corpse, as it
passes by. A funeral had followed the arrest of Gwynplaine. That proved
nothing. _Post hoc, non propter hoc, etc_. Ursus had begun to doubt.

Hope burns and glimmers over misery like naphtha over water. Its
hovering flame ever floats over human sorrow. Ursus had come to this
conclusion, "It is probable that it was Gwynplaine whom they buried, but
it is not certain. Who knows? Perhaps Gwynplaine is still alive."

Ursus bowed to the justice.

"Honourable judge, I will go away, we will go away, all will go away, by
the _Vograat_ of Rotterdam, to-day. I will sell the Green Box, the
horses, the trumpets, the gipsies. But I have a comrade, whom I cannot
leave behind--Gwynplaine."

"Gwynplaine is dead," said a voice.

Ursus felt a cold sensation, such as is produced by a reptile crawling
over the skin. It was Barkilphedro who had just spoken.

The last gleam was extinguished. No more doubt now. Gwynplaine was dead.
A person in authority must know. This one looked ill-favoured enough to
do so.

Ursus bowed to him.

Master Nicless was a good-hearted man enough, but a dreadful coward.
Once terrified, he became a brute. The greatest cruelty is that inspired
by fear.

He growled out,--

"This simplifies matters."

And he indulged, standing behind Ursus, in rubbing his hands, a
peculiarity of the selfish, signifying, "I am well out of it," and
suggestive of Pontius Pilate washing his hands.

Ursus, overwhelmed, bent down his head.