The Widow Lerouge | Page 8

colour of a brick!"
"And is that all?"
"Well, yes, sir."
"But you must remember how he was dressed; had he a blouse on?"
"No; he wore a jacket. Under the arms were very large pockets, and
from out of one of them peeped a blue spotted handkerchief."
"What kind of trousers had he on?"
"I do not remember."
"And his waistcoat?"
"Let me see," answered the child. "I don't think he wore a waistcoat.
And yet,--but no, I remember he did not wear one; he had a long cravat,
fastened near his neck by a large ring."
"Ah!" said Gevrol, with an air of satisfaction, "you are a bright boy;
and I wager that if you try hard to remember you will find a few more
details to give us."

The boy hung down his head, and remained silent. From the knitting of
his young brows, it was plain he was making a violent effort of
memory. "Yes," cried he suddenly, "I remember another thing."
"What?"
"The man wore very large rings in his ears."
"Bravo!" cried Gevrol, "here is a complete description. I shall find the
fellow now. M. Daburon can prepare a warrant for his appearance
whenever he likes."
"I believe, indeed, the testimony of this child is of the highest
importance," said M. Daburon; and turning to the boy added, "Can you
tell us, my little friend, with what this boat was loaded?"
"No, sir, I couldn't see because it was decked."
"Which way was she going, up the Seine or down?"
"Neither, sir, she was moored."
"We know that," said Gevrol. "The magistrate asks you which way the
prow of the boat was turned,--towards Paris or towards Marly?"
"The two ends of the boat seemed alike to me."
The chief of the detective of police made a gesture of disappointment.
"At least," said he, addressing the child again, "you noticed the name of
the boat? you can read I suppose. One should always know the names
of the boats one goes aboard of."
"No, I didn't see any name," said the little boy.
"If this boat was moored at the quay," remarked M. Daburon, "it was
probably noticed by the inhabitants of Bougival."
"That is true, sir," approved the commissary.

"Yes," said Gevrol, "and the sailors must have come ashore. I shall find
out all about it at the wine shop. But what sort of a man was Gervais,
the master, my little friend?"
"Like all the sailors hereabouts, sir."
The child was preparing to depart when M. Daburon recalled him.
"Before you go, my boy, tell me, have you spoken to any one of this
meeting before to-day?"
"Yes, sir, I told all to mamma when I got back from church, and gave
her the ten sous."
"And you have told us the whole truth?" continued the magistrate.
"You know that it is a very grave matter to attempt to impose on justice.
She always finds it out, and it is my duty to warn you that she inflicts
the most terrible punishment upon liars."
The little fellow blushed as red as a cherry, and held down his head.
"I see," pursued M. Daburon, "that you have concealed something from
us. Don't you know that the police know everything?"
"Pardon! sir," cried the boy, bursting into tears,--"pardon. Don't punish
me, and I will never do so again."
"Tell us, then, how you have deceived us?"
"Well, sir, it was not ten sous that the man gave me, it was twenty sous.
I only gave half to mamma; and I kept the rest to buy marbles with."
"My little friend," said the investigating magistrate, "for this time I
forgive you. But let it be a lesson for the remainder of your life. You
may go now, and remember it is useless to try and hide the truth; it
always comes to light!"
CHAPTER II.

The two last depositions awakened in M. Daburon's mind some slight
gleams of hope. In the midst of darkness, the humblest rush-light
acquires brilliancy.
"I will go at once to Bougival, sir, if you approve of this step,"
suggested Gevrol.
"Perhaps you would do well to wait a little," answered M. Daburon.
"This man was seen on Sunday morning; we will inquire into Widow
Lerouge's movements on that day."
Three neighbours were called. They all declared that the widow had
kept her bed all Sunday. To one woman who, hearing she was unwell,
had visited her, she said, "Ah! I had last night a terrible accident."
Nobody at the time attached any significance to these words.
"The man with the rings in his ears becomes more and important," said
the magistrate, when the woman had retired. "To find him again is
indispensable: you must see to this, M. Gevrol."
"Before eight days, I shall