XXVI
When M. Lecoq was in a hurry he walked fast. He almost ran down the RueNotre Dame de Lorette, so that Plantat had great difficulty in keepingup with him; and as he went along he pursued his train of reflection,half aloud, so that his companion caught here and there a snatch of it.
"All goes well," he muttered, "and we shall succeed. It's seldom that acampaign which commences so well ends badly. If Job is at the winemerchant's, and if one of my men has succeeded in his search, the crimeof Valfeuillu is solved, and in a week people will have forgotten it."
He stopped short on reaching the foot of the street opposite the church.
"I must ask you to pardon me," said he to the old justice, "for hurryingyou on so and making you one of my trade; but your assistance might havebeen very useful at Madame Charman's, and will be indispensable when weget fairly on Tremorel's track."
They went across the square and into the wine shop at the corner of theRue des Martyrs. Its keeper was standing behind his counter turning wineout of a large jug into some litres, and did not seem much astonished atseeing his new visitors. M. Lecoq was quite at home (as he waseverywhere), and spoke to the man with an air of easy familiarity.
"Aren't there six or eight men waiting for somebody here?" he asked.
"Yes, they came about an hour ago."
"Are they in the big back room?"
"Just so, Monsieur," responded the wine merchant, obsequiously.
He didn't exactly know who was talking to him, but he suspected him tobe some superior officer from the prefecture; and he was not surprisedto see that this distinguished personage knew the ins and outs of hishouse. He opened the door of the room referred to without hesitation.Ten men in various guises were drinking there and playing cards. On M.Lecoq's entrance with M. Plantat, they respectfully got up and took offtheir hats.
"Good for you, Job," said M. Lecoq to him who seemed to be their chief,"you are prompt, and it pleases me. Your ten men will be quite enough,for I shall have the three besides whom I sent out this morning."
M. Job bowed, happy at having pleased a master who was not very prodigalin his praises.
"I want you to wait here a while longer," resumed M. Lecoq, "for myorders will depend on a report which I am expecting." He turned to themen whom he had sent out among the upholsterers:
"Which of you was successful?"
"I, Monsieur," replied a big white-faced fellow, with insignificantmustaches.
"What, you again, Palot? really, my lad, you are lucky. Step into thisside room--first, though, order a bottle of wine, and ask the proprietorto see to it that we are not disturbed."
These orders were soon executed, and M. Plantat being duly ensconcedwith them in the little room, the detective turned the key.
"Speak up now," said he to Palot, "and be brief."
"I showed the photograph to at least a dozen upholsterers without anyresult; but at last a merchant in the Faubourg St. Germain, named Rech,recognized it."
"Tell me just what he said, if you can."
"He told me that it was the portrait of one of his customers. A monthago this customer came to him to buy a complete set offurniture--drawing-room, dining-room, bed-room, and the rest--for alittle house which he had just rented. He did not beat him down at all,and only made one condition to the purchase, and that was, thateverything should be ready and in place, and the curtains and carpetsput in, within three weeks from that time; that is a week ago lastMonday."
"And what was the sum-total of the purchase?"
"Eighteen thousand francs, half paid down in advance, and half on theday of delivery."
"And who carried the last half of the money to the upholsterer?"
"A servant."
"What name did this customer give?"
"He called himself Monsieur James Wilson; but Monsieur Rech said he didnot seem like an English-man."
"Where does he live?"
"The furniture was carried to a small house, No. 34 Rue St. Lazare, nearthe Havre station."
M. Lecoq's face, which had up to that moment worn an anxious expression,beamed with joy. He felt the natural pride of a captain who hassucceeded in his plans for the enemy's destruction. He tapped the oldjustice of the peace familiarly on the shoulder, and pronounced a singleword:
"Nipped!"
Palot shook his head.
"It isn't certain," said he.
"Why?"
"You may imagine, Monsieur Lecoq, that when I got the address, havingsome time on my hands, I went to reconnoitre the house."
"Well?"
"The tenant's name is really Wilson, but it's not the man of thephotograph, I'm certain."
M. Plantat gave a groan of disappointment, but M. Lecoq was not soeasily discouraged.
"How did you find out?"
"I pumped one of the servants."
"Confound you!" cried M. Plantat. "Perhaps you roused suspicions."
"Oh, no," answered M. Lecoq. "I'll answer for him. Palot is a pupil ofmine. Explain yourself, Palot."
"Recognizing the house--an elegant affair it is, too--I said to myself:'I' faith, here's the cage; let's see if the bird is in it.' I luckilyhappened to have a napoleon in my pocket; and I slipped it withouthesitation into the drain which led from the house to thestreet-gutter."
"Then you rang?"
"Exactly. The porter--there is a porter--opened the door, and with mymost vexed air I told him how, in pulling out my handkerchief, I haddropped a twenty-franc piece in the drain, and begged him to lend mesomething to try to get it out. He lent me a poker and took anotherhimself, and we got the money out with no difficulty; I began to jumpabout as if I were delighted, and begged him to let me treat him to aglass of wine."
"Not bad."
"Oh, Monsieur Lecoq, it is one of your tricks, you know. My porteraccepted my invitation, and we soon got to be the best friends in theworld over some wine in a shop just across the street from the house. Wewere having a jolly talk together when, all of a sudden, I leaned overas if I had just espied something on the floor, and picked up--thephotograph, which I had dropped and soiled a little with my foot.'What,' cried I, 'a portrait?' My new friend took it, looked at it, anddidn't seem to recognize it. Then, to be certain, I said, 'He's a verygood-looking fellow, ain't he now? Your master must be some such a man.'But he said no, that the photograph was of a man who was bearded, whilehis master was as clean-faced as an abbe. 'Besides,' he added, 'mymaster is an American; he gives us our orders in French, but Madame andhe always talk English together.'"
M. Lecoq's eye glistened as Palot proceeded.
"Tremorel speaks English, doesn't he?" asked he of M. Plantat.
"Quite well; and Laurence too."
"If that is so, we are on the right track, for we know that Tremorelshaved his beard off on the night of the murder. We can go on--"
Palot meanwhile seemed a little uneasy at not receiving the praise heexpected.
"My lad," said M. Lecoq, turning to him, "I think you have doneadmirably, and a good reward shall prove it to you. Being ignorant ofwhat we know, your conclusions were perfectly right. But let's go to thehouse at once; have you got a plan of the ground-floor?"
"Yes, and also of the first floor above. The porter was not dumb, and sohe gave me a good deal of information about his master and mistress,though he has only been there two days. The lady is dreadfullymelancholy, and cries all the time."
"We know it; the plan--"
"Below, there is a large and high paved arch for the carriages to passthrough; on the other side is a good-sized courtyard, at the end ofwhich are the stable and carriage-house. The porter's lodge is on theleft of the arch; on the right a glass door opens on a staircase withsix steps, which conducts to a vestibule into which the drawing-room,dining-room, and two other little rooms open. The chambers are on thefirst floor, a study, a--"
"Enough," M. Lecoq said, "my plan is made."
And rising abruptly, he opened the door, and followed by M. Plantat andPalot, went into the
large room. All the men rose at his approach asbefore.
"Monsieur Job," said the detective, "listen attentively to what I haveto say. As soon as I am gone, pay up what you owe here, and then, as Imust have you all within reach, go and install yourselves in the firstwine-shop on the right as you go up the Rue d'Amsterdam. Take yourdinner there, for you will have time--but soberly, you understand."
He took two napoleons out of his pocket and placed them on the table,adding:
"That's for the dinner."
M. Lecoq and the old justice went into the street, followed closely byPalot. The detective was anxious above all to see for himself the houseinhabited by Tremorel. He saw at a glance that the interior must be asPalot had described.
"That's it, undoubtedly," said he to M. Plantat; "we've got the game inour hands. Our chances at this moment are ninety to ten."
"What are you going to do?" asked the justice, whose emotion increasedas the decisive moment approached.
"Nothing, just yet, I must wait for night before I act. As it is twohours yet before dark, let's imitate my men; I know a restaurant just byhere where you can dine capitally; we'll patronize it."
And without awaiting a reply, he led M. Plantat to a restaurant in thePassage du Havre. But at the moment he was about to open the door, hestopped and made a signal. Palot immediately appeared.
"I give you two hours to get yourself up so that the porter won'trecognize you, and to have some dinner. You are an upholsterer'sapprentice. Now clear out; I shall wait for you here."
M. Lecoq was right when he said that a capital dinner was to be had inthe Passage du Havre; unfortunately M. Plantat was not in a state toappreciate it. As in the morning, he found it difficult to swallowanything, he was so anxious and depressed. He longed to know thedetective's plans; but M. Lecoq remained impenetrable, answering allinquiries with:
"Let me act, and trust me."
M. Plantat's confidence was indeed very great; but the more hereflected, the more perilous and difficult seemed the attempt to saveTremorel from a trial. The most poignant doubts troubled and torturedhis mind. His own life was at stake; for he had sworn to himself that hewould not survive the ruin of Laurence in being forced to confess infull court her dishonor and her love for Hector.
M. Lecoq tried hard to make his companion eat something, to take atleast some soup and a glass of old Bordeaux; but he soon saw theuselessness of his efforts and went on with his dinner as if he werealone. He was very thoughtful, but any uncertainty of the result of hisplans never entered his head. He drank much and often, and soon emptiedhis bottle of Leoville. Night having now come on the waiters began tolight the chandeliers, and the two friends found themselves almostalone.
"Isn't it time to begin?" asked the old justice, timidly.
"We have still nearly an hour," replied M. Lecoq, consulting his watch;"but I shall make my preparations now."
He called a waiter, and ordered a cup of coffee and writing materials.
"You see," said he, while they were waiting to be served, "we must tryto get at Laurence without Tremorel's knowing it. We must have a tenminutes' talk with her alone, and in the house. That is a conditionabsolutely necessary to our success."
M. Plantat had evidently been expecting some immediate and decisiveaction, for M. Lecoq's remark filled him with alarm.
"If that's so," said he mournfully, "it's all over with our project."
"How so?"
"Because Tremorel will not leave Laurence by herself for a moment."
"Then I'll try to entice him out."
"And you, you who are usually so clear-sighted, really think that hewill let himself be taken in by a trick! You don't consider hissituation at this moment. He must be a prey to boundless terrors. Weknow that Sauvresy's declaration will not be found, but he does not; hethinks that perhaps it has been found, that suspicions have beenaroused, and that he is already being searched for and pursued by thepolice."
"I've considered all that," responded M. Lecoq with a triumphant smile,"and many other things besides. Well, it isn't easy to decoy Tremorelout of the house. I've been cudgelling my brain about it a good deal,and have found a way at last. The idea occurred to me just as we werecoming in here. The Count de Tremorel, in an hour from now, will be inthe Faubourg St. Germain. It's true it will cost me a forgery, but youwill forgive me under the circumstances. Besides, he who seeks the endmust use the means."
He took up a pen, and as he smoked his cigar, rapidly wrote thefollowing:
"MONSIEUR WILSON:
"Four of the thousand-franc notes which you paid me are counterfeits; Ihave just found it out by sending them to my banker's. If you are nothere to explain the matter before ten o'clock, I shall be obliged to putin a complaint this evening before the procureur.
"RECH."
"Now," said M. Lecoq, passing the letter to his companion. "Do youcomprehend?"
The old justice read it at a glance and could not repress a joyfulexclamation, which caused the waiters to turn around and stare at him.
"Yes," said he, "this letter will catch him; it'll frighten him out ofall his other terrors. He will say to himself that he might have slippedsome counterfeit notes among those paid to the upholsterer, that acomplaint against him will provoke an inquiry, and that he will have toprove that he is really Monsieur Wilson or he is lost."
"So you think he'll come out?"
"I'm sure of it, unless he has become a fool."
"I tell you we shall succeed then, for this is the only seriousobstacle--"
He suddenly interrupted himself. The restaurant door opened ajar, and aman passed his head in and withdrew it immediately.
"That's my man," said M. Lecoq, calling the waiter to pay for thedinner, "he is waiting for us in the passage; let us go."
A young man dressed like a journeyman upholsterer was standing in thepassage looking in at the shop-windows. He had long brown locks, and hismustache and eyebrows were coal-black. M. Plantat certainly did notrecognize him as Palot, but M. Lecoq did, and even seemed dissatisfiedwith his get-up.
"Bad," growled he, "pitiable. Do you think it is enough, in order todisguise yourself, to change the color of your beard? Look in thatglass, and tell me if the expression of your face is not just what itwas before? Aren't your eye and smile the same? Then your cap is toomuch on one side, it is not natural; and your hand is put in your pocketawkwardly."
"I'll try to do better another time, Monsieur Lecoq," Palot modestlyreplied.
"I hope so; but I guess your porter won't recognize you to-night, andthat is all we want."
"And now what must I do?"
"I'll give you your orders; and be very careful not to blunder. First,hire a carriage, with a good horse; then go to the wine-shop for one ofour men, who will accompany you to Monsieur Wilson's house. When you getthere ring, enter alone and give the porter this letter, saying that itis of the utmost importance. This done, put yourself with your companionin ambuscade before the house. If Monsieur Wilson goes out--and he willgo out or I am not Lecoq--send your comrade to me at once. As for you,you will follow Monsieur Wilson and not lose sight of him. He will takea carriage, and you will follow him with yours, getting up on thehackman's seat and keeping a lookout from there. Have your eyes open,for he is a rascal who may feel inclined to jump out of his cab andleave you in pursuit of an empty vehicle."
"Yes, and the moment I am informed--"
"Silence, please, when I am speaking. He will probably go to theupholsterer's in the Rue des Saints-Peres, but I may be mistaken. He mayorder himself to be carried to one of the railway stations, and may takethe first train which leaves. In this case, you must get into the samerailway carriage that he does, and follow him everywhere he goes; and besure and send me a despatch as soon as you can."
"Very well, Monsieur Lecoq; only if I have to take a train--"
"What, haven't you any money?"
"Well--no, my chief."
"Then take this five-hundred-franc note; that's more than is necess
aryto make the tour of the world. Do you comprehend everything?"
"I beg your pardon--what shall I do if Monsieur Wilson simply returns tohis house?"
"In that case I will finish with him. If he returns, you will come backwith him, and the moment his cab stops before the house give two loudwhistles, you know. Then wait for me in the street, taking care toretain your cab, which you will lend to Monsieur Plantat if he needsit."
"All right," said Palot, who hastened off without more ado.
M. Plantat and the detective, left alone, began to walk up and down thegallery; both were grave and silent, as men are at a decisive moment;there is no chatting about a gaming-table. M. Lecoq suddenly started; hehad just seen his agent at the end of the gallery. His impatience was sogreat that he ran toward him, saying:
"Well?"
"Monsieur, the game has flown, and Palot after him!"
"On foot or in a cab?"
"In a cab."
"Enough. Return to your comrades, and tell them to hold themselvesready."
Everything was going as Lecoq wished, and he grasped the old justice'shand, when he was struck by the alteration in his features.
"What, are you ill?" asked he, anxiously.
"No, but I am fifty-five years old, Monsieur Lecoq, and at that agethere are emotions which kill one. Look, I am trembling at the momentwhen I see my wishes being realized, and I feel as if a disappointmentwould be the death of me. I'm afraid, yes, I'm afraid. Ah, why can't Idispense with following you?"
"But your presence is indispensable; without your help I can donothing:"
"What could I do?"
"Save Laurence, Monsieur Plantat."
This name restored a part of his courage.
"If that is so--" said he. He began to walk firmly toward the street,but M. Lecoq stopped him.
"Not yet," said the detective, "not yet; the battle now depends on theprecision of our movements. A single fault miserably upsets all mycombinations, and then I shall be forced to arrest and deliver up thecriminal. We must have a ten minutes' interview with MademoiselleLaurence, but not much more, and it is absolutely necessary that thisinterview should be suddenly interrupted by Tremorel's return. Let'smake our calculations. It will take the rascal half an hour to go to theRue des Saints-Peres, where he will find nobody; as long to get back;let us throw in fifteen minutes as a margin; in all, an hour and aquarter. There are forty minutes left us."
M. Plantat did not reply, but his companion said that he could not stayso long on his feet after the fatigues of the day, agitated as he was,and having eaten nothing since the evening before. He led him into aneighboring cafe, and forced him to eat a biscuit and drink a glass ofwine. Then seeing that conversation would be annoying to the unhappy oldman, he took up an evening paper and soon seemed to be absorbed in thelatest news from Germany. The old justice, his head leaning on the backof his chair and his eyes wandering over the ceiling, passed in mentalreview the events of the past four years. It seemed to him but yesterdaythat Laurence, still a child, ran up his garden-path and picked hisroses and honeysuckles. How pretty she was, and how divine were hergreat eyes! Then, as it seemed, between dusk and dawn, as a rose bloomson a June night, the pretty child had become a sweet and radiant younggirl. She was timid and reserved with all but him--was he not her oldfriend, the confidant of all her little griefs and her innocent hopes?How frank and pure she was then; what a heavenly ignorance of evil!
Nine o'clock struck; M. Lecoq laid down his paper.
"Let us go," said he.
M. Plantat followed him with a firmer step, and they soon reached M.Wilson's house, accompanied by Job and his men.
"You men," said M. Lecoq, "wait till I call before you go in; I willleave the door ajar."
He rang; the door swung open; and M. Plantat and the detective went inunder the arch. The porter was on the threshold of his lodge.
"Monsieur Wilson?" asked M. Lecoq.
"He is out."
"I will speak to Madame, then."
"She is also out."
"Very well. Only, as I must positively speak with Madame Wilson, I'mgoing upstairs."
The porter seemed about to resist him by force; but, as Lecoq now calledin his men, he thought better of it and kept quiet.
M. Lecoq posted six of his men in the court, in such a position thatthey could be easily seen from the windows on the first floor, andinstructed the others to place themselves on the opposite sidewalk,telling them to look ostentatiously at the house. These measures taken,he returned to the porter.
"Attend to me, my man. When your master, who has gone out, comes inagain, beware that you don't tell him that we are upstairs; a singleword would get you into terribly hot water--"
"I am blind," he answered, "and deaf."
"How many servants are there in the house?"
"Three; but they have all gone out."
The detective then took M. Plantat by the arm, and holding him firmly:
"You see, my dear friend," said he, "the game is ours. Come along--andin Laurence's name, have courage!"