in the First Regiment of Marines, one battalion of which
was to be sent to Senegambia. He had, however, by no means given up
his bad ways; for he was very soon after condemned to ten years' penal
servitude for having broken into a house by night as a robber."

The chief surgeon, who had for some time given unmistakable signs of
impatience, now rose all of a sudden, and said,--

"Pardon me, if I interrupt you, sir; but can you rely upon the veracity
of your witnesses?"

"Why should I doubt them?"

"Because it seems to me very improbable that a cunning fellow, such as
this Crochard seems to be, should have denounced himself."

"But he has not denounced himself."

"Ah?"

"He has often mentioned this condemnation; but he has always attributed
it to acts of violence against a superior; On that point he has never
varied in his statements."

"Then how on earth did you learn"--

"The truth? Oh, very simply. _I_ inquired at Saigon; and I succeeded
in finding a sergeant in the Second Regiment of Marines, who was in
the First Regiment at the same time with Crochard. He gave me all these
details. And there is no mistake about the identity; for, as soon as
I said 'Crochard' the sergeant exclaimed, 'Oh, yes! Crochard, surnamed
Bagnolet.'"

And, as the doctor bowed without saying a word, the magistrate said,--

"I resume the account. The statements of the accused since his arrest
are too insignificant to be here reported. There is only one peculiarity
of importance for the prosecution, which may possibly serve to enable us
to trace the instigators of this crime. On three occasions, and in the
presence of, at least, three witnesses each time, Crochard has used, in
almost the same terms, these words,--

"'No one would believe the strange acquaintances one makes in prisons.
You meet there young men of family, who have done a foolish thing,
and lots of people, who, wishing to make a fortune all at once, had no
chance. When they come out from there, many of these fellows get into
very good positions; and then, if you meet them, they don't know you. I
have known some people there, who now ride in their carriages.'"

The doctor had become silent.

"Oh!" he said half aloud, "might not some of these people whom the
assassin has known in prison have put arms in his hand?"

"That is the very question I asked myself."

"Because, you see, some of Daniel's enemies are fearful people; and if
you knew what is in this letter here i