But directly he had left the shop he evinced such
delirious joy that the passers-by asked themselves in amazement if
he were not mad. He did not walk, but fairly danced over the stones,
gesticulating in the most ridiculous fashion as he addressed this
triumphant monologue to the empty air: "At last," said he, "this affair
emerges from the mystery that has enshrouded it. At last I reach the
veritable actors in the drama, the exalted personages whose existence
I had suspected. Ah! Gevrol, my illustrious General! you talked about
a Russian princess, but you will be obliged to content yourself with a
simple marchioness."
But the vertigo that had seized the young detective gradually
disappeared. His good sense reasserted itself, and, looking calmly at
the situation, he felt that he should need all his presence of mind,
penetration, and sagacity to bring the expedition to a successful
finish. What course should he pursue, on entering the marchioness's
presence, in order to draw from her a full confession and to obtain full
particulars of the murder, as well as the murderer's name!
"It will be best to threaten her, to frighten her into confession,"
he soliloquized. "If I give her time for reflection, I shall learn
nothing."
He paused in his cogitations, for he had reached the residence of the
Marchioness d'Arlange--a charming mansion with a courtyard in front and
garden in the rear. Before entering, he deemed it advisable to obtain
some information concerning the inmates.
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