"No; I expect one of the Corbeil police to whom I have given an important mission." "Regarding Guespin?" "Yes. Very early this morning a young working-woman of the town, whom Guespin has been courting, brought me an excellent photograph of him. I gave this portrait to the agent with instructions to go to the Vulcan's Forges and ascertain if Guespin had been seen there, and whether he bought anything there night before last." M. Lecoq was inclined to be jealous; the judge's proceeding ruffled him, and he could not conceal an expressive grimace. "I am truly grieved," said he, dryly, "that Monsieur the Judge has so little confidence in me that he thinks it necessary to give me assistance." This sensitiveness aroused M. Domini, who replied: "Eh! my dear man, you can't be everywhere at once. I think you very shrewd, but you were not here, and I was in a hurry." "A false step is often irreparable." "Make yourself easy; I've sent an intelligent man." At this moment the door opened, and the policeman referred to by the judge appeared on the threshold. He was a muscular man about forty years old, with a military pose, a heavy mustache, and thick brows, meeting over the nose. He had a sly rather than a shrewd expression, so that his appearance alone seemed to awake all sorts of suspicions and put one instinctively on his guard. "Good news!" said he in a big voice: "I didn't make the journey to Paris for the King of Prussia; we are right on the track of this rogue of a Guespin." M. Domini encouraged him with an approving gesture. "See here, Goulard," said he, "let us go on in order if we can. You went then, according to my instructions, to the Vulcan's Forges?" "At once, Monsieur." "Precisely. Had they seen the prisoner there?" "Yes; on the evening of Wednesday, July 8th." "At what hour?" "About ten o'clock, a few minutes before they shut up; so that he was remarked, and the more distinctly observed." The judge moved his lips as if to make an objection, but was stopped by a gesture from M. Lecoq. "And who recognized the photograph?" "Three of the clerks. Guespin's manner first attracted their attention. It was strange, so they said, and they thought he was drunk, or at least tipsy. Then their recollection was fixed by his talking very fast, saying that he was going to patronize them a great deal, and that if they would make a reduction in their prices he would procure for them the custom of an establishment whose confidence he possessed, the Gentil Jardinier, which bought a great many gardening tools." M. Domini interrupted the examination to consult some papers which lay before him on his desk. It was, he found, the Gentil Jardinier which had procured Guespin his place in Tremorel's household. The judge remarked this aloud, and added: "The question of identity seems to be settled. Guespin was undoubtedly at the Vulcan's Forges on Wednesday night." "So much the better for him," M. Lecoq could not help muttering.