Juve-Vagualame was about to speak. De Loubersac added:
"The innkeeper saw you!"
"Did he now? What is this?" thought Juve. This statement opened up a fresh view of things.
De Loubersac did not give him time for reflection.
"Who, then, do you think killed Nichoune?"
Juve would not for the world voice his suspicions just then. With a side-glance at the lieutenant, he remarked:
"Faith, what I am inclined to think is, that the guilty person is that Aunt Palmyra."
"Aunt Palmyra!" repeated de Loubersac. "Decidedly my poor Vagualame, you are stupid as an owl to-day! Well, there is no harm in telling you this—Aunt Palmyra was one of my colleagues!"
"I suspected as much," thought Juve, "but I wanted him to confirm it."
De Loubersac was again the questioner.