of the waves, but now he totters, loses his
footing--another second, and he will sink!

"Enough--enough!" said the magistrate, cutting the prisoner's
embarrassed explanation short. "Now, if you started out merely with
the intention of amusing yourself, how did it happen that you took your
revolver with you?"

"I had it with me while I was traveling, and did not think of leaving it
at the hotel any more than I thought of changing my clothes."

"Where did you purchase it?"

"It was given me by M. Simpson as a souvenir."

"Confess that this M. Simpson is a very convenient personage," said the
magistrate coldly. "Still, go on with your story. Only two chambers of
this murderous weapon were discharged, but three men were killed. You
have not told me the end of the affair."

"What's the use?" exclaimed the prisoner, in saddened tones. "Two of my
assailants had fallen; the struggle became an equal one. I seized the
remaining man, the soldier, round the body, and threw him down. He fell
against a corner of the table, and did not rise again."

M. Segmuller had unfolded upon his desk the plan of the Poivriere drawn
by Lecoq. "Come here," he said, addressing the prisoner, "and show me on
this paper the precise spot you and your adversaries occupied."

May obeyed, and with an assurance of manner a little surprising in a man
in his position, he proceeded to explain the drama. "I entered," said
he, "by this door, marked C; I seated myself at the table, H, to the
left of the entrance: my assailants occupied the table between the
fireplace, F, and the window, B."

"I must admit," said the magistrate, "that your assertions fully agree
with the statements of the physicians, who say that one of the shots
must have been fired about a yard off, and the other about two yards
off."

This was a victory for the prisoner, but he only shrugged his shoulders
and murmured: "That proves that the physicians knew their business."

Lecoq was delighted. This part of the prisoner's narrative not merely
agreed with the doctor's statements, but also confirmed his own
researches. The young detective felt that, had he been the examiner,
he would have conducted the investigation in precisely the same way.
Accordingly, he thanked heaven that M. Segmuller had supplied the place
of M. d'Escorval.

"This admitted," resumed the magistrate, "it remains for you to explain
a sentence you uttered when the agent you see here arrested you."

"What sente