n, returning from the funeral, found him engaged in prayer. Derues
gave him the dead youth's clothes and departed, leaving some money to be
given to the poor of the parish, and for masses to be said for the repose
of the soul of the dead.

He arrived at home in the evening, found his wife entertaining some
friends; and told them he had just come from Chartres, where he had been
summoned on business. Everyone noticed his unusual air of satisfaction,
and he sang several songs during supper.

Having accomplished these two crimes, Derues did not remain idle. When
the murderer's part of his nature was at rest, the thief reappeared. His
extreme avarice now made him regret the expense' caused by the deaths of
Madame de Lamotte and her son, and he wished to recoup himself. Two days
after his return from Versailles, he ventured to present himself at
Edouard's school. He told the master that he had received a letter from
Madame de Lamotte, saying that she wished to keep her son, and asking him
to obtain Edouard's belongings. The schoolmaster's wife, who was
present, replied that that could not be; that Monsieur de Lamotte would
have known of his wife's intention; that she would not have taken such a
step without consulting him; and that only the evening before, they had
received a present of game from Buisson-Souef, with a letter in which
Monsieur de Lamotte entreated them to take great, care of his son.

"If what you say is true," she continued, "Madame de Lamotte is no doubt
acting on your advice in taking away her son. But I will write to
Buisson."

"You had better not do anything in the matter;" said Derues, turning to
the schoolmaster. "It is quite possible that Monsieur de Lamotte does
not know. I am aware that his wife does not always consult him. She is
at Versailles, where I took Edouard to her, and I will inform her of your
objection."

To insure impunity for these murders, Derues had resolved on the death of
Monsieur de Lamotte; but before executing this last crime, he wished for
some proof of the recent pretended agreements between himself and Madame
de Lamotte. He would not wait for the disappearance of the whole family
before presenting himself as the lawful proprietor, of Buisson-Souef.
Prudence required him to shelter himself behind a deed which should have
been executed by that lady. On February 27th he appeared at the office
of Madame de Lamotte's lawyer in the rue du Paon, and, with all the
pers