ed Lecoq, who at once
proceeded to relate the various facts that had come to his knowledge
since his departure from the Poivriere.

With rare precision and that happiness of expression which seldom fails
a man well acquainted with his subject, he recounted the daring feats
of the presumed accomplice, the points he had noted in the
supposed murderer's conduct, the latter's unsuccessful attempt at
self-destruction. He repeated the testimony given by the cab-driver, and
by the concierge in the Rue de Bourgogne, and then read the letter he
had received from Father Absinthe.

In conclusion, he placed on the magistrate's desk some of the dirt he
had scraped from the prisoner's feet; at the same time depositing beside
it a similar parcel of dust collected on the floor of the cell in which
the murderer was confined at the Barriere d'Italie.

When Lecoq had explained the reasons that had led him to collect this
soil, and the conclusions that might be drawn from a comparison of the
two parcels, M. Segmuller, who had been listening attentively, at once
exclaimed: "You are right. It may be that you have discovered a means to
confound all the prisoner's denials. At all events, this is certainly a
proof of surprising sagacity on your part."

So it must have been, for Goguet, the clerk, nodded approvingly.
"Capital!" he murmured. "I should never have thought of that."

While he was talking, M. Segmuller had carefully placed all the
so-called "articles of conviction" in a large drawer, from which they
would not emerge until the trial. "Now," said he, "I understand the case
well enough to examine the Widow Chupin. We may gain some information
from her."

He was laying his hand upon the bell, when Lecoq stopped him with an
almost supplicating gesture. "I have one great favor to ask you, sir,"
he observed.

"What is it?--speak."

"I should very much like to be present at this examination. It takes so
little, sometimes, to awaken a happy inspiration."

Although the law says that the accused shall first of all be privately
examined by the investigating magistrate assisted by his clerk, it also
allows the presence of police agents. Accordingly, M. Segmuller told
Lecoq that he might remain. At the same time he rang his bell; which was
speedily answered by a messenger.

"Has the Widow Chupin been brought here, in compliance with my orders?"
asked M. Segmuller.

"Yes, sir; she is in the gallery outside."

"Let her come in then."