The officers of the law have made the usual preliminary investigations, and everything leads us to believe that the police are already on the track of the author of this dastardly crime." "Thunder!" said old Tabaret to himself, "can it be that Madame Gerdy?
--" The idea but flashed across his mind; he fell back into his chair, and, shrugging his shoulders, murmured,-- "Really this affair of La Jonchere is driving me out of my senses! I can think of nothing but this Widow Lerouge.

I shall be seeing her in everything now." In the mean while, an uncontrollable curiosity made him peruse the entire newspaper.

He found nothing with the exception of these lines, to justify or explain even the slightest emotion.
"It is an extremely singular coincidence, at the same time," thought the incorrigible police agent.

Then, remarking that the newspaper was slightly torn at the lower part, and crushed, as if by a convulsive grasp, he repeated,-- "It is strange!" At this moment the door of Madame Gerdy's room opened, and Noel appeared on the threshold.
Without doubt the accident to his mother had greatly excited him; for he was very pale and his countenance, ordinarily so calm, wore an expression of profound sorrow.

He appeared surprised to see old Tabaret.
"Ah, my dear Noel!" cried the old fellow.