"The secret of the crime is in that look," thought the police agent. "Those eyes see, those eyes speak; they tell what they know, they accuse some one."
Then, while the professor, his associates and his students went on with the autopsy, exchanging observations, following in the mutilated body, their researches for the truth, trying to be very accurate as to the nature of the wound, the form even of the knife with which it was made, Bernardet softly approached the Examining Magistrate and in a low tone, timidly, respectfully, he spoke some words, which were insistent, however, and pressing, urging the Magistrate to quickly interfere.
"Ah! Monsieur le Juge, this is the moment; you who can do everything"——
The Examining Magistrate has, with us, absolute power. He does whatever seems to him best. And he wishes to do a thing, because he wishes to do it. M. Ginory, curious by nature and because it was his duty, hesitated, scratched his ear, rubbed his nose, bit his lips, listened to the supplicating murmur of the police officer; but decided not to speak just then, and continued gazing with a fixed stare at the dead man.
This thought came to him, moreover, insistent and imperious, that he was there to testify in all things in favor of that truth, the discovery of which imposed upon him—and suddenly, his sharp voice interrupted the surgeon's work.
"Messieurs, does not the expression of the open eyes strike you?"
"Yes; they express admirably the most perfect agony," M. Morin replied.
"And does it not seem," asked the Examining Magistrate, "as if they were fixed with that expression on the murderer?"
"Without doubt! The mouth seems to curse and the eyes to menace."
"And what if the last image seen, in fact, that of the murderer, still remains upon the retina of the eyes?"