The two detectives
plainly understood, however, that such was the case, and the father's
crime was so horrible, and the woman's grief so great, that, familiar as
they were with all the phases of crime, their very hearts were touched.
Lecoq's main thought, however, was to shorten this painful scene. The
poor mother's emotion was a sufficient guarantee of her sincerity.
"Listen," said he, with affected harshness. "Two questions only,
and then I will leave you. Was there a man named Gustave among the
frequenters of the Poivriere?"
"No, sir, I'm quite sure there wasn't."
"Very well. But Lacheneur--you must know Lacheneur!"
"Yes, sir; I know him."
The young police agent could not repress an exclamation of delight. "At
last," thought he, "I have a clue that may lead me to the truth. What
kind of man is he?" he asked with intense anxiety.
"Oh! he is not at all like the other men who come to drink at my
mother-in-law's shop. I have only seen him once; but I remember him
perfectly. It was on a Sunday. He was in a cab. He stopped at the corner
of the waste ground and spoke to Polyte. When he went away, my husband
said to me: 'Do you see that old man there? He will make all our
fortunes.' I thought him a very respectable-looking gentleman--"
"That's enough," interrupted Lecoq. "Now it is necessary for you to
tell the investigating magistrate all you know about him. I have a cab
downstairs. Take your child with you, if you like; but make haste; come,
come quickly!"
XVI
The extreme uncertainty of the result was another attraction for M.
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