"Oh, Monsieur Lecoq, it is one of your tricks, you know.My porter accepted my invitation, and we soon got to be the best friends in the world over some wine in a shop just across the street from the house.We were having a jolly talk together when, all of a sudden, I leaned over as if I had just espied something on the floor, and picked up - the photograph, which I had dropped and soiled a little with my foot.'What,' cried I, 'a portrait?' My new friend took it, looked at it, and didn't seem to recognize it.Then, to be certain, I said, 'He's a very good-looking fellow, ain't he now?
Your master must be some such a man.' But he said no, that the photograph was of a man who was bearded, while his master was as clean-faced as an abbe.'Besides,' he added, 'my master is an American; he gives us our orders in French, but Madame and he always talk English together.'"M.Lecoq's eye glistened as Palot proceeded.
"Tremorel speaks English, doesn't he?" asked he of M.Plantat.
"Quite well; and Laurence too."
"If that is so, we are on the right track, for we know that Tremorel shaved his beard off on the night of the murder.We can go on - "Palot meanwhile seemed a little uneasy at not receiving the praise he expected.
"My lad," said M.Lecoq, turning to him, "I think you have done admirably, and a good reward shall prove it to you.Being ignorant of what we know, your conclusions were perfectly right.But let's go to the house at once; have you got a plan of the ground-floor?""Yes, and also of the first floor above.The porter was not dumb, and so he gave me a good deal of information about his master and mistress, though he has only been there two days.The lady is dreadfully melancholy, and cries all the time.""We know it; the plan - "
"Below, there is a large and high paved arch for the carriages to pass through; on the other side is a good-sized courtyard, at the end of which are the stable and carriage-house.The porter's lodge is on the left of the arch; on the right a glass door opens on a staircase with six steps, which conducts to a vestibule into which the drawing-room, dining-room, and two other little rooms open.
The chambers are on the first floor, a study, a - ""Enough," M.Lecoq said, "my plan is made."And rising abruptly, he opened the door, and followed by M.Plantat and Palot, went into the large room.All the men rose at his approach as before.
"Monsieur Job," said the detective, "listen attentively to what Ihave to say.As soon as I am gone, pay up what you owe here, and then, as I must have you all within reach, go and install yourselves in the first wine-shop on the right as you go up the Rue d'Amsterdam.
Take your dinner there, for you will have time - but soberly, you understand."He took two napoleons out of his pocket and placed them on the table, adding:
"That's for the dinner."
M.Lecoq and the old justice went into the street, followed closely by Palot.The detective was anxious above all to see for himself the house inhabited by Tremorel.He saw at a glance that the interior must be as Palot had described.
"That's it, undoubtedly," said he to M.Plantat; "we've got the game in our hands.Our chances at this moment are ninety to ten.""What are you going to do?" asked the justice, whose emotion increased as the decisive moment approached.
"Nothing, just yet, I must wait for night before I act.As it is two hours yet before dark, let's imitate my men; I know a restaurant just by here where you can dine capitally; we'll patronize it."And without awaiting a reply, he led M.Plantat to a restaurant in the Passage du Havre.But at the moment he was about to open the door, he stopped and made a signal.Palot immediately appeared.
"I give you two hours to get yourself up so that the porter won't recognize you, and to have some dinner.You are an upholsterer's apprentice.Now clear out; I shall wait for you here."M.Lecoq was right when he said that a capital dinner was to be had in the Passage du Havre; unfortunately M.Plantat was not in a state to appreciate it.As in the morning, he found it difficult to swallow anything, he was so anxious and depressed.He longed to know the detective's plans; but M.Lecoq remained impenetrable, answering all inquiries with:
"Let me act, and trust me.
M.Plantat's confidence was indeed very great; but the more he reflected, the more perilous and difficult seemed the attempt to save Tremorel from a trial.The most poignant doubts troubled and tortured his mind.His own life was at stake; for he had sworn to himself that he would not survive the ruin of Laurence in being forced to confess in full court her dishonor and her love for Hector.
M.Lecoq tried hard to make his companion eat something, to take at least some soup and a glass of old Bordeaux; but he soon saw the uselessness of his efforts and went on with his dinner as if he were alone.He was very thoughtful, but any uncertainty of the result of his plans never entered his head.He drank much and often, and soon emptied his bottle of Leoville.Night having now come on the waiters began to light the chandeliers, and the two friends found themselves almost alone.
"Isn't it time to begin?" asked the old justice, timidly.
"We have still nearly an hour," replied M.Lecoq, consulting his watch; "but I shall make my preparations now."He called a waiter, and ordered a cup of coffee and writing materials.
"You see," said he, while they were waiting to be served, "we must try to get at Laurence without Tremorel's knowing it.We must have a ten minutes' talk with her alone, and in the house.That is a condition absolutely necessary to our success."M.Plantat had evidently been expecting some immediate and decisive action, for M.Lecoq's remark filled him with alarm.
"If that's so," said he mournfully, " it's all over with our project.""How so?"
"Because Tremorel will not leave Laurence by herself for a moment.""Then I'll try to entice him out."
