ow took
refuge in the next one they found open. Here again they were soon turned
out and then they hurried to another boozing-den--and yet again to
a fifth. And so, after drinking innumerable bottles of wine, they
contrived to reach the Place Saint-Michel at about one o'clock in
the morning. Here, however, they found nothing to drink; for all the
wine-shops were closed.

The two men then held a consultation together, and, after a short
discussion, they walked arm-in-arm toward the Faubourg Saint-Germain,
like a pair of friends. The liquor they had imbibed was seemingly
producing its effect, for they often staggered in their walk, and talked
not merely loudly but both at the same time. In spite of the
danger, Lecoq advanced near enough to catch some fragments of their
conversation; and the words "a good stroke," and "money enough to
satisfy one," reached his ears.

Father Absinthe's confidence wavered. "All this will end badly," he
murmured.

"Don't be alarmed," replied his friend. "I frankly confess that I don't
understand the maneuvres of these wily confederates, but what does
that matter after all; now the two men are together, I feel sure of
success--sure. If one runs away, the other will remain, and Gevrol shall
soon see which is right, he or I."

Meanwhile the two drunkards had slackened their pace. By the manner
in which they examined the magnificent mansions of the Faubourg
Saint-German, one might have suspected them of the very worst
intentions. In the Rue de Varrennes, at only a few steps from the Rue
de la Chaise, they suddenly paused before a wall of moderate height
surrounding an immense garden. The man in the slouch hat now did the
talking, and explained to May--as the detectives could tell by his
gestures--that the mansion to which the garden belonged had its front
entrance in the Rue de Grenelle.

"Bah!" growled Lecoq, "how much further will they carry this nonsense?"

They carried it farther than the young detective had ever imagined. May
suddenly sprang on to his companion's shoulders, and raised himself to
a level with the summit of the wall. An instant afterward a heavy thud
might have been heard. He had let himself drop into the garden. The man
in the slouch hat remained in the street to watch.

The enigmatical fugitive had accomplished this strange, inconceivable
design so swiftly that Lecoq had neither the time nor the desire to
oppose him. His amazement at this unexpected misfortune was s