The gentleman was in a hurry, he struck the blow fasting; therefore he can't invoke the gayety of dessert in his defense!" "It is evident," said the commissary to the investigating magistrate, "that robbery was the motive of the crime." "It is probable," answered Gevrol in a sly way; "and that accounts for the absence of the silver spoons from the table." "Look here! Some pieces of gold in this drawer!" exclaimed Lecoq, who had been searching on his own account, "just three hundred and twenty francs!" "Well, I never!" cried Gevrol, a little disconcerted.

But he soon recovered from his embarrassment, and added: "He must have forgotten them; that often happens.

I have known an assassin, who, after accomplishing the murder, became so utterly bewildered as to depart without remembering to take the plunder, for which he had committed the crime.

Our man became excited perhaps, or was interrupted.

Some one may have knocked at the door.