“(2.) It is at Trudaine’s house that the woman Danville’s connection with her brother’s secret designs is ascertained, through the vigilance of the before-mentioned patriot citizen.  The interview of the two suspected persons is private; their conversation is carried on in whispers.  Little can be overheard; but that little suffices to prove that Trudaine’s sister is perfectly aware of his intention to proceed for the third time to the house in the Rue de Clery.  It is further discovered that she awaits his return, and that she then goes back privately to her own house. (3.) Meanwhile, the strictest measures are taken for watching the house in the Rue de Clery.  It is discovered that Trudaine’s visits are paid to a man and woman known to the landlord and lodgers by the name of Dubois.  They live on the fourth floor.  It is impossible, at the time of the discovery, to enter this room, or to see the citizen and citoyenne Dubois, without producing an undesirable disturbance in the house and neighborhood.  A police agent is left to watch the place, while search and arrest orders are applied for.  The granting of these is accidentally delayed.  When they are ultimately obtained, it is discovered that the man and the woman are both missing.  They have not hitherto been traced. (4.) The landlord of the house is immediately arrested, as well as the police agent appointed to watch the premises.  The landlord protests that he knows nothing of his tenants.  It is suspected, however, that he has been tampered with, as also that Trudaine’s papers, delivered to the citizen and citoyenne Dubois, are forged passports.  With these and with money, it may not be impossible that they have already succeeded in escaping from France.  The proper measures have been taken for stopping them, if they have not yet passed the frontiers.  No further report in relation to them has yet been received (5.) Trudaine and his sister are under perpetual surveillance, and the undersigned holds himself ready for further orders.—­Signed, MAGLOIRE.  Countersigned, LOMAQUE.”

Having finished reading his notes, Magloire placed them on the writing-table.  He was evidently a favored man in the office, and he presumed upon his position; for he ventured to make a remark, instead of leaving the room in silence, like his predecessor Picard.

“When Citizen Danville returns to Paris,” he began, “he will be rather astonished to find that in denouncing his wife’s brother he had also unconsciously denounced his wife.”

Lomaque looked up quickly, with that old weakness in his eyes which affected them in such a strangely irregular manner on certain occasions.  Magloire knew what this symptom meant, and would have become confused if he had not been a police agent.  As it was, he quietly backed a step or two from the table, and held his tongue.

“Friend Magloire,” said Lomaque, winking mildly, “your last remark looks to me like a question in disguise.  I put questions constantly to others; I never answer questions myself.  You want to know, citizen, what our superintendent’s secret motive is for denouncing his wife’s brother?  Suppose you try and find that out for yourself.  It will be famous practice for you, friend Magloire—­famous practice after office hours.”