"Enough!--we will
talk to-morrow. I must run away for a minute, and you will remain here.
If May shows himself, capture him; don't allow him to escape."
"I understand; but what is to be done with the man who is lying there?"
"Leave him where he is. I have bound him securely, so there is nothing
to fear. When the night-police pass, we will give him into charge--"
He paused and listened. A short way down the street, heavy, measured
footsteps could be heard approaching.
"There they come," said Father Absinthe.
"Ah! I dared not hope it! I shall have a good chance now."
At the same moment, two sergeants de ville, whose attention had been
attracted by this group at the street corner, hastened toward them. In a
few words, Lecoq explained the situation, and it was decided that one of
the sergeants should take the accomplice to the station-house, while the
other remained with Father Absinthe to cut off May's retreat.
"And now," said Lecoq, "I will run round to the Rue de Grenelle and give
the alarm. To whose house does this garden belong?"
"What!" replied one of the sergeants in surprise, "don't you know the
gardens of the Duke de Sairmeuse, the famous duke who is a millionaire
ten times over, and who was formerly the friend--"
"Ah, yes, I know, I know!" said Lecoq.
"The thief," resumed the sergeant, "walked into a pretty trap when he
got over that wall. There was a reception at the mansion this evening,
as there is every Monday, and every one in the house is still up.
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