ed his secret correspondence, was he ignorant of it? To my mind
he evidently knew everything, as the last scene we had with him proves."

"I must say that's my own opinion," interrupted M. Segmuller.

"But how could he have known it?" resumed Lecoq. "He could not have
discovered it by himself. I endured tortures for a while in the hope of
solving the problem. But all my trouble was wasted. Now the supposition
of Gevrol's intervention would explain everything."

M. Segmuller had turned pale with anger. "Ah! if I could really believe
that!" he exclaimed; "if I were sure of it! Have you any proofs?"

The young man shook his head. "No," said he, "I haven't; but even if my
hands were full of proofs I should not dare to show them. I should
ruin my future. Ah, if ever I succeed, I must expect many such acts of
treachery. There is hatred and rivalry in every profession. And, mark
this, sir--I don't doubt Gevrol's honesty. If a hundred thousand francs
were counted out upon the table and offered to him, he wouldn't even try
to release a prisoner. But he would rob justice of a dozen criminals in
the mere hope of injuring me, jealous as he is, and fearing lest I might
obtain advancement."

How many things these simple words explained. Did they not give the key
to many and many an enigma which justice has failed to solve, simply on
account of the jealousy and rivalry that animate the detective force?
Thus thought M. Segmuller, but he had no time for further reflection.

"That will do," said he, "go into the drawing-room for a moment. I will
dress and join you there. I will send for a cab: for we must make haste
if I am to see the public prosecutor to-day."

Less than a quarter of an hour afterward M. Segmuller, who usually spent
considerable time over his toilet, was dressed and ready to start. He
and Lecoq were just getting into the cab that had been summoned when a
footman in a stylish livery was seen approaching.

"Ah! Jean," exclaimed the magistrate, "how's your master?"

"Improving, sir," was the reply. "He sent me to ask how you were, and to
inquire how that affair was progressing?"

"There has been no change since I last wrote to him. Give him my
compliments, and tell him that I am out again."

The servant bowed. Lecoq took a seat beside the magistrate and the cab
started off.

"That fellow is one of D'Escorval's servants," remarked M. Segmuller.
"He's richer than I, and can well afford to keep a footman."

"D'E