"No; but I will know more before evening."
"I wish especially to find his lodging. If he is no longer there, I must know when he departed and where he went."
"All that you shall know; I will see to it."
"No detail is too unimportant."
"I shall remember."
"And perhaps," added Crochard, "if things go well—for this is an affair of great importance, where for once I am working on the side of the law—I shall be able to secure for you that for which you have longed—pardon from the State, rehabilitation, so that you can resume your own name and live again openly with your family. That is worth working for, is it not?"
"Ah!" cried Samson, his voice quivering with emotion. "If you could do that! But it is impossible!"
"It is not impossible!" said Crochard, and struck the table with his open hand. "I promise it!"
Samson stared at him, his lips working, and two large tears formed slowly in the corners of his eyes, brimmed over and ran down his cheeks. If Crochard said "I promise it!" the thing was as good as done. Suddenly he sat upright and brushed the tears away.
"What is it I must do?" he asked. "Tell me!"