The murderers obstinately refused to say where they had concealed
it; for, of course, it would prove a fortune for them, if they ever
escaped the gallows. In the mean while, however, the children of the
victims were ruined. Now, M. Patrigent, the magistrate who investigated
the affair, was the first to convince the authorities that it would be
best to set one of the murderers at liberty. His advice was followed;
and three days later the culprit was surprised unearthing the money from
among a bed of mushrooms. Now, I believe that our prisoner--"
"Enough!" interrupted M. Segmuller. "I wish to hear no more on the
matter. I have, it seems to me, forbidden you to broach the subject."
The young detective hung his head with a hypocritical air of submission.
But all the while he watched the magistrate out of the corner of his eye
and noted his agitation. "I can afford to be silent," he thought; "he
will return to the subject of his own accord."
And in fact M. Segmuller did return to it only a moment afterward.
"Suppose this man were released from prison," said he, "what would you
do?"
"What would I do, sir! I would follow him like grim death; I would not
once let him out of my sight; I would be his shadow."
"And do you suppose he wouldn't discover this surveillance?"
"I should take my precautions."
"But he would recognize you at a single glance."
"No, sir, he wouldn't, for I should disguise myself. A detective who
can't equal the most skilful actor in the matter of make-up is no
better than an ordinary policeman.
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