"You see that I am an agent of the Prefecture of Police," said the
visitor, showing his card. "Now, if you wish to avoid all sorts of
disagreeable things, the least of which will be a sojourn in prison, you
must obey me."
The boy trembled in every limb. "Yes, mein Herr--Monsieur, I mean--I
will obey you," he stammered. "But what am I to do?"
"Oh, very little. A man is coming here in a moment: you will know him by
his black clothes and his long beard. You must answer him word for word
as I tell you. And remember, if you make any mistake, you will suffer
for it."
"You may rely upon me, sir," replied Fritz. "I have an excellent
memory."
The prospect of imprisonment had terrified him into abject submission.
He spoke the truth; he would have been willing to say or do anything
just then. Lecoq profited by this disposition; and then clearly and
concisely gave the lad his instructions. "And now," added he, "I must
see and hear you. Where can I hide myself?"
Fritz pointed to a glass door. "In the dark room there, sir. By leaving
the door ajar you can hear and you can see everything through the
glass."
Without another word Lecoq darted into the room in question. Not a
moment too soon, however, for the bell of the outer door announced the
arrival of a visitor. It was May. "I wish to speak to the landlady," he
said.
"What landlady?" replied the lad.
"The person who received me when I came here six weeks ago--"
"Oh, I understand," interrupted Fritz; "it's Madame Milner you want to
see; but you have come too late; she sold the house about a month ago,
and has gone back to Alsace.
Pages:
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321