presence of the women is very natural. Wherever there are male thieves,
you will find female thieves as well. As for the diamond--what does that
prove? That the scoundrels had just met with a stroke of good luck, that
they had come here to divide their booty, and that the quarrel arose
from the division."

This was an explanation, and such a plausable one, that M. d'Escorval
was silent, reflecting before he announced his decision. "Decidedly,"
he declared at last, "decidedly, I adopt the hypothesis set forth in the
report. Who prepared it?"

Gevrol's face turned red with anger. "One of my men," he replied, "a
clever, adroit fellow, Monsieur Lecoq. Come forward, Lecoq, that the
magistrate may see you."

The young man advanced, his lips tightly compressed so as to conceal a
smile of satisfaction which almost betrayed itself.

"My report, sir, is only a summary," he began, "but I have certain
ideas--"

"Which you will acquaint me with, when I ask for them," interrupted the
magistrate. And oblivious of Lecoq's chagrin, he drew from his clerk's
portfolio two forms, which he filled up and handed to Gevrol, saying:
"Here are two orders; take them to the station, where the murderer and
the landlady of this cabin are confined, and have them conducted to the
prefecture, where they will be privately examined."

Having given these directions, M. d'Escorval was turning toward the
physicians, when Lecoq, at the risk of a second rebuff, interposed. "May