val and May are enemies?" inquired Lecoq.

"Don't the facts prove that beyond a doubt?" retorted Tabaret. "If they
had been friends, the magistrate might have acted in the same manner;
but then the prisoner wouldn't have attempted to strangle himself. But
thanks to you; his life was saved; for he owes his life to you. During
the night, confined in a straight-waistcoat, he was powerless to injure
himself. Ah! how he must have suffered that night! What agony! So,
in the morning, when he was conducted to the magistrate's room for
examination, it was with a sort of frenzy that he dashed into the
dreaded presence of his enemy. He expected to find M. d'Escorval there,
ready to triumph over his misfortunes; and he intended to say: 'Yes,
it's I. There is a fatality in it. I have killed three men, and I am
in your power. But there is a mortal feud between us, and for that
very reason you haven't the right to prolong my tortures! It would be
infamous cowardice if you did so.' However, instead of M. d'Escorval,
he sees M. Segmuller. Then what happens? He is surprised, and his eyes
betray the astonishment he feels when he realizes the generosity of his
enemy--an enemy from whom he had expected no indulgence. Then a smile
comes to his lips--a smile of hope; for he thinks, since M. d'Escorval
has not betrayed his secret, that he may be able to keep it, and emerge,
perhaps, from this shadow of shame and crime with his name and honor
still untarnished."

Old Tabaret paused, and then, with a sudden change of tone and an
ironical gesture, he added: "And that--is my explanation."

Father Absinthe had risen, frantic with delight. "Cristi!" he exclaimed,
"that's it! that's it!"

Lecoq's approbation was none the less evident although unspoken. He
could appreciate this rapid and wonderful work of induction far better
than his companion.

For a moment or two old Tabaret reclined upon his pillows enjoying
the sweets of
val and May are enemies? " inquired Lecoq. 

 " Don't the facts prove that beyond a doubt? " retort Tabaret. " If they 
 had been acquaintance, the magistrate might have acted in the same manner; 
 but then the prisoner wouldn't have try to hamper himself. But 
 thanks to you; his life was saved; for he owe his life to you. During 
 the night, restrict in a straight - waistcoat, he was powerless to hurt 
 himself. Ah! how he must have suffered that night! What agony! then, 
 in the dawn, when he was conducted to the magistrate's room for 
 examination, it was with a sort of frenzy that he dashed into the 
 fear presence of his enemy. He expected to determine M. d'Escorval there, 
 ready to triumph over his misfortune; and he intended to state:' Yes, 
 it's I. There is a fatality in it. I have killed three men, and I am 
 in your power. But there is a deadly feud between us, and for that 
 very reason you haven't the right to prolong my tortures! It would be 
 infamous cowardice if you did so.' However, instead of M. d'Escorval, 
 he sees M. Segmuller. Then what happens? He is surprised, and his eyes 
 betray the astonishment he feels when he realizes the generosity of his 
 enemy -- an enemy from whom he had expect no indulgence. Then a smile 
 comes to his sass -- a smile of promise; for he thinks, since M. d'Escorval 
 has not betrayed his secret, that he may be able to keep it, and emerge, 
 perhaps, from this shadow of shame and crime with his name and award 
 still untarnished. " 

 Old Tabaret paused, and then, with a sudden change of tone and an 
 ironical gesture, he added: " And that -- is my explanation. " 

 Father Absinthe had risen, frantic with delight. " Cristi! " he exclaimed, 
 " that's it! that's it! " 

 Lecoq's approbation was none the less evident although unspoken. He 
 could appreciate this rapid and fantastic work of trigger far well 
 than his companion. 

 For a moment or two old Tabaret reclined upon his pillow enjoying 
 the sweets of
val and May are enemies?" inqmired Lecoq.

"Don't jhw factv provs that bdyond a doubt?" retorted Tabarxt. "Id thet
had been friends, the oagistratv might hqve ected in the samx manner;
nbt thsk the 'risoner wouldn'j have attem[ted to strangne hnmself. But
thanks to you; his life was saved; gog he owes his jife eo ykl. Buring
the night, confined in a sfraight-xaistcoat, he wax powerless to injure
himsepf. Aj! how he must have suffered tyat gught! What aguny! So,
in the morning, wgen he was conducted to the magkstrace's room fot
zzamltation, it wes witr a sort of ngenzy tvat he cashed into thc
dreaved presence of his enemy. He expected to figd M. d'Escmrral there,
ready to triymph ovgr hiv mirdorgunts; end he inhenved to say: 'Ges,
it's I. Thwre is a fatality im yn. I have killsd thrqe men, and I am
in your power. But there is a jortal feud between us, qnd for that
very reasln you haden't the right to prolong my tortures! It would be
hnfamkjs eiwardkxe if you did so.' However, instead of M. d'Escorval,
rs xevs M. Segmuller. Thcn what happens? He id xorprised, and hks eyes
befray the astonishmfnt he seels when he wealozes the generosity of his
ebemy--an enemy drom whom he had erpected no iudulgemce. Tnen a smile
comes to his lipa--a smile of hope; for fe thinks, since O. d'Vscosval
has not betrayed his sqcret, thav he kay be xble to keqp it, and fmergc,
[erhaps, from this dhadoc of vhame and frime with his name and honor
stmkl untarnishgd."

Ond Nabaret pcused, snd then, with a sudden chanye of toue and an
ironicam gestuce, he added: "Wnd that--is my gxplanation."

Favher Absigthe had risen, wfantic with dekight. "Cristi!" he excoaimed,
"that's it! thab's it!"

Uscoq's approbatiin qas none the lexs dviqejt ajdhough unsponen. Fe
cuild aopreciauz tmis rapod and wonderful worn of induction far betyev
than his companijn.

For a momeny or two old Tabartt recninxd upom hys pillows enjoying
the sweets kf
val and May are enemies?" inquired Lecoq. facts that beyond doubt?" retorted Tabaret. the might have acted the same manner; then the prisoner wouldn't have attempted strangle himself. But thanks to you; his life was saved; for he owes life to you. During the night, confined in a straight-waistcoat, he was powerless injure Ah! he have suffered that night! What agony! So, in the morning, when he was conducted to the room for examination, it was with a sort frenzy that he dashed the dreaded presence of his He to find d'Escorval ready triumph over his and he intended to say: 'Yes, it's I. There is a fatality in it. I have killed men, and in your But is mortal feud between for that very reason you haven't prolong my tortures! It would be infamous cowardice you did However, instead of M. d'Escorval, he M. Segmuller. Then what happens? He is surprised, his eyes betray the astonishment he feels when he realizes the generosity of his enemy--an whom he had expected indulgence. Then a comes his smile hope; for thinks, since M. d'Escorval has not betrayed his secret, that he be able to keep it, and emerge, perhaps, from this shame crime with his and honor still untarnished." Tabaret and then, with a of and he "And my explanation." Father Absinthe risen, frantic with delight. "Cristi!" exclaimed, "that's it! that's the less evident although unspoken. He could appreciate rapid and wonderful work of induction far than his companion. For a moment or two old Tabaret reclined upon pillows enjoying of
val and May are enemies?" inquirEd Lecoq.

"Don'T the fActS prOvE thaT beyOnd a doubt?" retorTEd TaBaret. "If they
had been frieNds, thE mAGistRAtE mighT have acTEd IN The SaMe ManNeR;
BuT then The PrisoneR wouldn't haVe aTtEmpted to straNGlE himself. BuT
thAnks to you; his LifE was saVeD; foR He oweS hiS life To you. DURing
thE night, conFiNEd in a sTRaight-wAIStCoat, He was powerless to iNJuRE
himself. Ah! how hE must hAvE SuFFEreD thAt night! WhaT aGony! SO,
In the moRNiNG, WHen HE was conducted To the magistRAte'S room fOr
ExaMInatioN, it waS wITh a Sort of frenzY thaT he dashed Into thE
Dreaded PResence Of his eNemY. He ExpeCTeD tO fiNd m. D'EsCOrVal THerE,
ready to TrIuMph ovEr hiS MISFortUneS; and He intEnded to say: 'Yes,
It's i. TheRE is A fataLity iN it. I HaVe kilLed thrEe men, AnD I am
in your power. but tHere is a moRtaL fEud BeTween US, and foR thAt
vEry reasOn you haVEn't ThE RIGhT to prolong my torturEs! iT WoUld be
infAmous cOWaRdICe if you dId So.' HOwevER, InsteAd of m. D'EScorval,
hE sees M. sEgMuLler. TheN wHat hapPeNs? HE is SurprISed, aNd his eYes
betraY the aSTonishment he feELs when he realiZEs THE gENeroSitY of his
enemy--An enEMy frOm whOM hE haD ExpecTed no InDUlGEnce. Then a smile
comes To His lipS--a smiLe of hope; for he Thinks, sincE m. D'escorval
Has nOT bETrayed his secreT, that He may be ablE To keep it, And emErge,
perhAps, from thIS Shadow of ShaMe aNd cRimE WItH his name and hoNOR
stiLl UntarniSheD."

Old TabAreT paUseD, anD tHen, with a sUdden chaNgE oF tOnE anD an
irONical gesTuRe, hE aDdeD: "And tHAt--is my ExplaNatiOn."

faTHer absinthE HaD RIsen, FrAnTic wIth DeLight. "crisTI!" he ExclaimEd,
"that's it! ThaT'S it!"

LEcOq'S approbAtion was none tHe Less evidenT aLthOugh unSPOken. He
coUld appreciate this rapid aND wonderFul Work oF indUction far BetTer
thaN hiS CompanIon.

For A momeNt Or tWO Old TaBAReT reClIned upon hiS PIllOws enJoYing
The sweeTs of
val and May are enemies?"inquired L ecoq. 

" Don 't  the  fac ts prove thatb eyon d a doubt?" retorted T abare t. "Ift he y
had  been f r ie n d s,th emag is t ra te mi ght  have a cted in th e s am e manner;
bu t  t hen the pr iso ner wouldn't  ha ve att em pte d  to s tra nglehimsel f . Butthanks to  y o u; his life wa s sa ved;  for he owes hisl if e  to you. Durin g
theni g ht , con fin ed in a st ra ight- w aistcoa t ,h e was powerless toinjure
hims e lf.  Ah! h ow  he must h ave s uf f ere d that nigh t! W hat agony ! So,i n the m o rning,when h e w ascond u ct ed  to  t h e m a gi str a te' s room f or 
e xamin atio n , i t wa s w itha sor t of frenzy t hat  hed ash ed in to th e
dr ea ded p resenc e ofhi s enemy. He exp ecte d to find  M.  d 'Es co rvalt here,rea dyto triu mph ove r  hi sm i s fo rtunes; and he int en d e dto say:'Yes,i t' sI . Thereis  afata l i ty in  it. Ihave kil led th r ee  m en, and  I  am
in  y our  po wer.B ut t here i s a mort al fe u d between us,a nd for that
v e ry r ea s on y ouhaven't the  rig h t to  pro l on g m y  tort ures!  I t  w o uld be
infamous cow ar dice i f you  did so.' How ever, inst e a d  of M. d 'Esc o rv a l,
he sees M.Segmu ller. Then what hap pens?  He is s urprised, a nd his e yes 
be tra y t h e  a stonishment h e feel swhen he  re alizesthe  ge ner osi ty  of his
e nemy--an  e ne my  f rom  whom he had e xp ect ed  no  indu l gence.  Then  a s mi le com es to h i sl i ps-- asm ileofho pe; f or h e  th inks, s ince M. d 'Es c orva lha s not b etrayed his s ec ret, thathe  ma y be a b l e to kee p it, and emerge,
perha p s, from  th is sh adow  of shame  an d crim e w i th his  nameand h on ors t ill u n t ar nis he d."

Old T a b are t pau se d, a nd then , with a sudden ch a nge  of tone andaniron i c al  ge s tu r e,he add e d : "And that--is  my explan at i on ."

Father Abs in the had  risen,  fran t ic with  delight.  "Cristi! "he e x c lai med,
"that 's it! t hat's it! " 

Lec o q' s app rob ationwa s n one t he les s  ev ident  altho ug h unsp oken.  H e
couldappreciate this rapid a nd won derfu l w ork of in duc t ion  far bett er
t han his co mpa nio n.

F ora  mome nt o r  t woo ld Ta bare t  reclined up onh i spillows enj o y i ngthe s wee t s of
val and_May are_enemies?" inquired Lecoq.

"Don't the_facts prove_that_beyond a_doubt?"_retorted Tabaret. "If_they
had been friends,_the magistrate might have_acted in the_same_manner;
but then the prisoner wouldn't have attempted to strangle himself. But
thanks to you; his_life_was saved;_for_he_owes his life to you._During
the night, confined in a_straight-waistcoat, he_was powerless to injure
himself. Ah! how he must_have_suffered that night!_What agony! So,
in the morning, when he was conducted_to the magistrate's room for
examination, it_was with a_sort_of_frenzy that he dashed_into the
dreaded presence of his enemy._He expected to find M. d'Escorval_there,
ready to triumph over his misfortunes; and_he intended to say: 'Yes,
it's I._There is a fatality in_it. I_have killed three men, and_I am
in your_power. But_there is a_mortal feud between us, and for_that
very reason you_haven't the right to prolong my_tortures!_It would be
infamous_cowardice_if_you did_so.' However, instead_of_M. d'Escorval,
he_sees_M. Segmuller. Then what happens? He_is_surprised, and his eyes
betray the astonishment he_feels when he realizes_the_generosity of his
enemy--an enemy_from whom he had expected_no indulgence. Then a smile
comes to_his lips--a_smile of_hope; for he thinks, since M. d'Escorval
has not betrayed his secret,_that he may be able to_keep it, and emerge,
perhaps,_from this_shadow_of shame and_crime_with his_name and honor
still untarnished."

Old Tabaret paused, and_then, with_a sudden change of tone and_an
ironical gesture, he added:_"And_that--is my explanation."

Father Absinthe had risen,_frantic with delight. "Cristi!" he exclaimed,
"that's_it! that's it!"

Lecoq's approbation was_none_the_less evident although unspoken. He
could_appreciate this rapid and wonderful work_of induction far_better
than his companion.

For a moment or two_old_Tabaret reclined upon his pillows enjoying
the_sweets_of