His clearsightedness irritated Ralph. He was careful, however, to let no vestige of irritation be seen, and [[46]]muttered in the tone of one from whom a tribute is forced: “By Jove, you’re devilishly smart!”
Then, more loudly, he added: “Is that all? Have you made any more discoveries?”
“Goodness!” cried Marescal, laughing triumphantly. “Give me time to get my breath!”
“Do you mean to go on working all night, then?”
“At any rate I’m going on working till they bring in the two fugitives. And that won’t take long, if they follow my instructions,” said Marescal confidently.
Ralph had followed Marescal’s dissertation with the simple air of admiration of a man who is not very clever himself and leaves to others the task of unraveling a tangle of which he understands very little himself.
He shook his head and, yawning, said: “Enjoy yourself in your own way, Monsieur Commissary. For my part I don’t mind telling you that all this excitement has upset me a bit, and an hour or two’s sleep——”
“Take it,” said Marescal readily. “Go to sleep in any of these compartments you fancy. I’ll see that no one disturbs you. And when I’ve finished, I’ll come and take a nap as well.”
Ralph went into the next compartment, shut the door, drew the curtains, pushed up the shade over the lamp.
“I’ve got you all right, old pomade-pot,” he said to himself. “You’re like the crow in the fable: a little [[47]]flattery will always loosen your tongue. You’re all right to look at; but you talk too much. As for your jailing this unknown girl and her accomplice, I shall be jolly well surprised if you bring it off. It’s a job I shall have to take in hand myself.”