at young detectives are often overzealous,
and run after fantoms originated in their own brains."

Lecoq, crimson with wrath, was about to make an angry response when M.
Segmuller motioned to him to remain silent. Then with a smile on his
face the magistrate replied to the governor. "Upon my word, my dear
friend," he said, "the more I study this affair, the more convinced I
am of the correctness of the theory advanced by the 'overzealous'
detective. But, after all, I am not infallible, and I shall depend upon
your counsel and assistance."

"Oh! I have means of verifying my assertion," interrupted the governor;
"and I hope before the end of the next twenty-four hours that our
man will have been identified, either by the police or by one of his
fellow-prisoners."

With these words he took his leave. Scarcely had he done so than Lecoq
sprang to his feet. The young detective was furious. "You see that
Gevrol already speaks ill of me; he is jealous."

"Ah, well! what does that matter to you? If you succeed, you will have
your revenge. If you are mistaken--then I am mistaken, too."

Then, as it was already late, M. Segmuller confided to Lecoq's keeping
the various articles the latter had accumulated in support of his
theory. He also placed in his hands the diamond earring, the owner of
which must be discovered; and the letter signed "Lacheneur," which had
been found in the pocket of the spurious soldier. Having given him
full instructions, he asked him to make his appearance promptly on
the morrow, and then dismissed him, saying: "Now go; and may good luck
attend you!"

XIV

Long, narrow, and low of ceiling, having on the one side a row of
windows looking on to a small courtyard, and on the other a range of
doors, each with a number on its central panel, thus reminding one of
some corridor in a second-rate hotel, such is the Galerie d'Instruction
at the Palais de Justice whereby admittance is gained into the various
rooms occupied by the investigating magistrates. Even in the daytime,
when it is thronged with prisoners, witnesses, and guards, it is a sad
and gloomy place. But it is absolutely sinister of aspect at night-time,
when deserted, and only dimly lighted by the smoky lamp of a solitary
attendant, waiting for the departure of some magistrate whom business
has detained later than usual.

Although Lecoq was not sensitive to such influences, he made haste to
reach the staircase and thus escape the echo of