This clerk's name was Goguet. He was short but corpulent,
and his broad, beardless face habitually wore a silly smile, not out of
keeping with his intellect, which was none of the brightest.
As stated above, when Lecoq entered M. Segmuller's room the latter was
busy studying the case which had so unexpectedly fallen into his hands.
All the articles which the young detective had collected, from the
flakes of wool to the diamond earring, were spread out upon the
magistrate's desk. With the greatest attention, he perused the report
prepared by Lecoq, and according to the different phases of the affair,
he examined one or another of the objects before him, or else consulted
the plan of the ground.
"A good half-hour elapsed before he had completed his inspection, when
he threw himself back in his armchair. Monsieur Lecoq," he said, slowly,
"Monsieur d'Escorval has informed me by a note on the margin of this
file of papers that you are an intelligent man, and that we can trust
you."
"I am willing, at all events."
"You speak too slightingly of yourself; this is the first time that an
agent has brought me a report as complete as yours. You are young, and
if you persevere, I think you will be able to accomplish great things in
your profession."
Nervous with delight, Lecoq bowed and stammered his thanks.
"Your opinion in this matter coincides with mine," continued M.
Segmuller, "and the public prosecutor informs me that M. d'Escorval
shares the same views.
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