I have had little or nothing to do in the matter.

The discovery is due to chance alone." "You are modest, M.Tabaret.Chance assists only the clever, and it is that which annoys the stupid.

But I beg you will be seated and proceed." Then with the lucidness and precision of which few would have believed him capable, the old fellow repeated to the magistrate all that he had learned from Noel.

He quoted from memory the extracts from the letters, almost without changing a word.
"These letters," added he, "I have seen; and I have even taken one, in order to verify the writing.

Here it is." "Yes," murmured the magistrate--"Yes, M.Tabaret, you have discovered the criminal.