Then, turning to M. Beaumont le Hardi, the Chief went on
pleasantly:

"Well, M. le Juge, it promises, I think; it is all fairly
satisfactory, eh?"

"I am sorry I cannot agree with you," replied the Judge, harshly.
"On the contrary, I consider that we--or more exactly you, for
neither I nor M. Garraud accept any share in it--you have so far
failed, and miserably."

"Your pardon, M. le Juge, you are too severe," protested M.
Floçon, quite humbly.

"Well! Look at it from all points of view. What have we got? What
have we gained? Nothing, or, if anything, it is of the smallest,
and it is already jeopardized, if not absolutely lost."

"We have at least gained the positive assurance of the guilt of
certain individuals."

"Whom you have allowed to slip through your fingers."

"Ah, not so, M. le Juge! We have one under surveillance. My man
Galipaud is there at the hotel watching the Countess."

"Do not talk to me of your men, M. Floçon," angrily interposed the
Judge. "One of them has given us a touch of his quality. Why
should not the other be equally foolish? I quite expect to hear
that the Countess also has gone, that would be the climax!"