No pass is necessary for his
admission, and he can influence the governor just as he likes. Now, to
tell the truth, I distrust Gevrol."
"Oh! Monsieur Lecoq!"
"Yes, I know very well that it's a bold accusation, but a man is not
master of his presentiments: so there it is, I distrust Gevrol. Did
the prisoner know that I was watching him from the loft, and that I had
discovered his secret correspondence, was he ignorant of it? To my mind
he evidently knew everything, as the last scene we had with him proves."
"I must say that's my own opinion," interrupted M. Segmuller.
"But how could he have known it?" resumed Lecoq. "He could not have
discovered it by himself. I endured tortures for a while in the hope of
solving the problem. But all my trouble was wasted. Now the supposition
of Gevrol's intervention would explain everything."
M. Segmuller had turned pale with anger. "Ah! if I could really believe
that!" he exclaimed; "if I were sure of it! Have you any proofs?"
The young man shook his head. "No," said he, "I haven't; but even if my
hands were full of proofs I should not dare to show them. I should
ruin my future. Ah, if ever I succeed, I must expect many such acts of
treachery. There is hatred and rivalry in every profession. And, mark
this, sir--I don't doubt Gevrol's honesty. If a hundred thousand francs
were counted out upon the table and offered to him, he wouldn't even try
to release a prisoner. But he would rob justice of a dozen criminals in
the mere hope of injuring me, jealous as he is, and fearing lest I might
obtain advancement.
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