I dressed myself quickly, and opened my door, to see if there were not some chance of escape, but I could hear voices and footsteps going to and fro down-stairs, and made up my mind that the passages were well guarded. My door opened on the landing, just opposite the window which our midnight visitor of the night before must have used in his flight. At first I paid no attention to this window, but, while I remained listening, on a sudden I perceived that it was open—that there was but little snow on the sill, and drawing near I perceived that there were fresh tracks along the wall. I shuddered at this discovery. The man had been there again, perhaps he came every night. The cat, the weasel, the ferret, all such beasts of prey, have their accustomed paths in this way. In a moment, everything was clear to my mind.
"Ah," thought I, "if chance has thus put the assassin's fate in my hands, my poor comrades may be saved."
Just at this moment the door of the saloon was opened, and I could hear some words of the examination going on.
"Do you admit having participated, on the 20th of this month, in the assassination of the priest Ulmet Elias?"
Then followed some words which I could not make out, and the door was closed again. I leaned my head on the banister, debating in my mind a great, an heroic resolution, "Heaven has put the fate of my companions in my hands. I can save them. If I recoil from such a duty, I shall be their murderer! my peace of mind, my honour, will be gone forever! I shall feel myself the most contemptible of men!"
For a long time I hesitated, but all at once my resolution was taken. I descended the stairs and made my way into the hall.
"Have you never seen this watch?" the provost was saying to Grédel. "Try to recollect, madame."
Without awaiting her answer, I advanced and replied myself, in a firm voice: "This watch, sir, I have seen in the hands of the assassin himself, I recognise it, and I can deliver the assassin into your hands this very night, if you will but listen to me."
Profound silence for a moment followed my address. The astounded officials looked at each other; my comrades seemed to revive a little.
"Who are you, sir?" demanded the provost, recovering himself.