detective, giving rein once more to his hatred.

"That is not a solution that commends itself to me, I must confess,"
declared the Judge. "The General's conduct has been blameworthy and
injudicious, but he is not of the stuff that makes criminals."

"Who, then? The porter? No? The clergyman? No? The French
gentlemen?--well, we have not examined them yet; but from what I saw at
the first cursory glance, I am not disposed to suspect them."

"What of that Italian?" asked the Commissary.

"Are you sure of him? His looks did not please me greatly, and he was
very eager to get away from here. What if he takes to his heels?"

"Block is with him," the Chief put in hastily, with the evident desire
to stifle an unpleasant misgiving. "We have touch of him if we want
him, as we may."

How much they might want him they only realized when they got further in
their inquiry!


CHAPTER XII

Only the two Frenchmen remained for examination. They had been
left to the last by pure accident. The exigencies of the inquiry
had led to the preference of others, but these two well-broken and
submissive gentlemen made no visible protest. However much they
may have chafed inwardly at the delay, they knew better than to