“Of the greatest,” Marescal admitted, for his defeat made him more and more inclined to grow confidential. “I’ve powerful enemies in the Ministry; and the so to speak instantaneous capture of this woman would have been of the greatest use to me. Just think! The noise the affair would have made!—The fuss there would have been about a criminal like this, a young girl disguised and so pretty! Day after day the limelight would have been full on me. And besides——” He appeared to check himself and paused. “And besides?” said Ralph softly. Marescal still hesitated. But there are hours during which no effort of the reason will prevent you from speaking and revealing the very bottom of your soul at the risk of regretting it bitterly. He could not keep his secret. “Besides it would have doubled, it would have tripled the value of the victory I had won in another field,” he said in an even gloomier tone. “Another victory?” cried Ralph in a tone of warm admiration. “Yes; and a decisive victory too.” “Decisive?” “Undoubtedly. No one could have snatched it from me since it was a victory over the dead.” “Not the English girl?” cried Ralph. “The English girl.” Still keeping his simple air and plainly showing that he could not refrain from giving way to his desire to enjoy the fullest admiration of his companion’s skill, Ralph said: “You couldn’t, I suppose, explain to me how?” “Why not? After all you will only get the information two hours before the examining magistrate.” Marescal was started, and in his weariness and confusion, contrary as it was to his usual habit, he could not stop babbling. Bending towards Ralph, he said: “Do you know who that English girl is?” “You knew her then?” said Ralph. “I should think I did know her! We were even on excellent terms. For six months I have been her shadow. I watched her always, seeking for proofs against her I could not collect.” “Proofs? Against her?” cried Ralph in astounded accents.