“For ourselves, we have another certainty,--that Suky Wood, the servant of the false Sir Francis Burnett, has watched the mysterious lady; that she has seen her, and consequently would know her again.” “True, that appears from the deposition of the girl’s friend.” “Consequently, if we discover Suky Wood, the Countess Claudieuse is unmasked.” “If we discover her,” said M. Magloire. “And here, unfortunately, we enter into the region of suppositions.” “Suppositions!” said M. Folgat. “Well, call them so; but they are based upon positive facts, and supported by a hundred precedents. Why should we not find this Suky Wood, whose birthplace and family we know, and who has no reason for concealment? Goudar has found very different people; and Goudar is on our side. And you may be sure he will not be asleep. I have held out to him a certain hope which will make him do miracles,--the hope of receiving as a reward, if he succeeds, the house in Vine Street. The stakes are too magnificent: he must win the game,--he who has won so many already. Who knows what he may not have discovered since we left him? Has he not done wonders already?” “It is marvellous!” cried Jacques, amazed at these results. Older than M. Folgat and Jacques, the eminent advocate of Sauveterre was less ready to feel such enthusiasm. “Yes,” he said, “it is marvellous; and, if we had time, I would say as you do, ‘We shall carry the day!’ But there is no time for Goudar’s investigations: the sessions are on hand, and it seems to me it would be very difficult to obtain a postponement.” “Besides, I do not wish it to be postponed,” said Jacques. “But”-- “On no account, Magloire, never! What? I should endure three months more of this anguish which tortures me? I could not do it: my strength is exhausted. This uncertainty has been too much for me. I could bear no more suspense.” M. Folgat interrupted him, saying,-- “Do not trouble yourself about that: a postponement is out of the question. On what pretext could we ask for it? The only way would be to introduce an entirely new element in the case. We should have to summon the Countess Claudieuse.” The greatest surprise appeared on Jacques’s face. “Will we not summon her anyhow?” he asked. “That depends.” “I do not understand you.” “It is very simple, however. If Goudar should succeed, before the trial, in collecting sufficient evidence against her, I should summon her certainly; and then the case would naturally change entirely; the whole proceeding would begin anew; and you would probably appear only as a witness. If, on the contrary, we obtain, before the trial begins, no other proof but what we have now, I shall not mention her name even; for that would, in my opinion, and in M. Magloire’s opinion, ruin your cause irrevocably.” “Yes,” said the great advocate, “that is my opinion.” Jacques’s amazement was boundless.