one journal--perhaps by order--spoke of that unknown
visitor whom Moniche called _the individual_, and whom the portress had
seen standing beside M. Rovere in front of the open safe. Paul Rodier in
his sketch scarcely referred to the fact that justice had a clew
important enough to penetrate the mystery of the crime, and in the end
arrest the murderer. And the readers while awaiting developments asked
what mystery was hidden in this murder. Moniche at times, wore a
frightened yet important air. He felt that he was an object of curiosity
to many, the centre of prejudices. The porter and his wife possessed a
terrible secret. They were raised in their own estimation.

"We shall appear at the trial," said Moniche, seeing himself already
before the red robes, and holding up his hand to swear that he would
tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

And as they sat together in their little lodge they talked the matter
over and over, and brought up every incident in M. Rovere's life which
might have a bearing on the case.

"Do you remember the young man who came one day and insisted on seeing
Monsieur le Consul?"

"Ah! Very well, indeed," said Moniche. "I had forgotten that one. A felt
hat, his face bronzed, and a droll accent. He had come from away off
somewhere. He was probably a Spaniard."

"Some beggar, likely. A poor devil whom the Consul had known in America,
in the Colonies, one knows not where."

"A bad face!" said Moniche. "M. Rovere received him, however, and gave
him aid, I remember. If the young man had come often, I should think
that he struck the blow. And also, I ought to add, if there was not the
other."

"Yes, but there is the other," his wife replied. "There is the one whom
I saw standing in front of the coupons, and who was looking at those
other papers with flashing eyes, I give my word. There is that one,
Moniche, and I am willing to put my hand into the fire and yours, too,
Moniche, if it is not he."

"If he is the one, he will be found."

"Oh! but if he has disappeared? One disappears very quickly in these
days."

"We shall see! we shall see! Justice reigns, and we are here!" He said
that "we are here!" as a grenadier of the guard before an important
engagement.

They had taken the body to the Morgue. At the hour fixed for the autopsy
Bernardet arrived. He seemed much excited, and asked M. Ginory if,
since their conversation in M. Rovere's library, he had reflected and
dec