“We have not a moment to lose. Let me go at once to the court-house.”
But they were hardly in the passage when they were met by Mechinet, who came running up out of breath, and half mad with delight.
“M. Daubigeon sends me to say you must come to him at once. Great news! Great news!”
And immediately he told them in a few words what had happened in the morning,—Trumence’s statement, and the deposition of the maid of Countess Claudieuse.
“Ah, now we are safe!” cried Dr. Seignebos.
M. Folgat was pale with excitement. Still he proposed,—
“Let us tell the marquis and Miss Dionysia what is going on before we leave the house.”
“No,” said the doctor, “no! Let us wait till every thing is quite safe. Let us go quick; let us go at once.”
They were right to make haste. The magistrate and the commonwealth attorney were waiting for them with the greatest impatience. As soon as they came into the small room of the clerk’s office, M. Daubigeon cried,—
“Well, I suppose Mechinet has told you all?”