held Gevrol's life at the end of his finger, was he about to press the
trigger? No, he suddenly threw his weapon to the floor, exclaiming:
"Come and take me!" And turning as he spoke he darted into the adjoining
room, hoping doubtless to escape by some means of egress which he knew
of.

Gevrol had expected this movement. He sprang after him with outstretched
arms, but the table retarded his pursuit. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "the
wretch escapes us!"

But the fate of the fugitive was already decided. While Gevrol parleyed,
one of the agents--he who had peered through the shutters--had gone to
the rear of the house and effected an entrance through the back door. As
the murderer darted out, this man sprang upon him, seized him, and with
surprising strength and agility dragged him back. The murderer tried to
resist; but in vain. He had lost his strength: he tottered and fell upon
the table that had momentarily protected him, murmuring loud enough for
every one to hear: "Lost! It is the Prussians who are coming!"

This simple and decisive maneuvre on the part of the subordinate had won
the victory, and at first it greatly delighted the inspector. "Good, my
boy," said he, "very good! Ah! you have a talent for your business, and
you will do well if ever an opportunity--"

But he checked himself; all his followers so evidently shared his
enthusiasm that a feeling of jealousy overcame him. He felt his prestige
diminishing, and hastened to add: "The idea had occurred to me; but I
could not give the order without warning the scoundrel himself."

This remark was superfluous. All the police agents had now gathered