"
"Yes," rejoined Lecoq, "I suppose it must have been he. It certainly
looks like his handiwork--now, what artifice can he have used? We know
how he managed to have an interview with the Widow Chupin, but how has
he succeeded in getting at Polyte, who is in prison, closely watched?"
The young detective's insinuation, vague as it was, did not escape M.
Segmuller. "What do you mean?" asked the latter, with an air of mingled
surprise and indignation. "You can't suppose that one of the keepers has
been bribed?"
Lecoq shook his head, in a somewhat equivocal manner. "I mean nothing,"
he replied, "I don't suspect any one. All I want is information. Has
Chupin been forewarned or not?"
"Yes, of course he has."
"Then if that point is admitted it can only be explained in two ways.
Either there are informers in the prison, or else Chupin has been
allowed to see some visitor."
These suppositions evidently worried M. Segmuller, who for a moment
seemed to hesitate between the two opinions; then, suddenly making
up his mind, he rose from his chair, took up his hat, and said: "This
matter must be cleared up. Come with me, Monsieur Lecoq."
A couple of minutes later, the magistrate and the detective had reached
the Depot, which is connected with the Palais de Justice by a narrow
passage, especially reserved for official use. The prisoners' morning
rations had just been served to them, and the governor was walking up
and down the courtyard, in the company of Inspector Gevrol.
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