Lecoq did not deign to reply.  He was standing upon the threshold, leaning against the framework of the door, his hand pressed to his forehead, as motionless as a statue.  The discovery he had just made, and which so delighted Father Absinthe, filled him with consternation.  It was the death of his hopes, the annihilation of the ingenious structure which his imagination had built upon the foundation of a single sentence.

There was no longer any mystery—­, so celebrity was not to be gained by a brilliant stroke!

For the presence of two women in this vile den explained everything in the most natural and commonplace fashion.  Their presence explained the quarrel, the testimony of Widow Chupin, the dying declaration of the pretended soldier.  The behavior of the murderer was also explained.  He had remained to cover the retreat of the two women; he had sacrificed himself in order to save them, an act of gallantry so common in the French character, that any scoundrel of the barrieres might have performed it.

Still, the strange allusion to the battle of Waterloo remained unexplained.  But what did that prove now?  Nothing, simply nothing.  However, who could say how low an unworthy passion might cause a man even of birth and breeding to descend?  And the carnival afforded an opportunity for the parties to disguise themselves.

But while Lecoq was turning and twisting all these probabilities in his mind, Father Absinthe became impatient.  “Are we going to remain here until doomsday?” he asked.  “Are we to pause just at the moment when our search has been productive of such brilliant results?”

“Brilliant results!” These words stung the young man as deeply as the keenest irony could have done.  “Leave me alone,” he replied gruffly; “and, above all, don’t walk about the garden, as by doing so, you’ll damage any footprints.”

His companion swore a little; but soon became silent in his turn.  He was constrained to submit to the irresistible ascendency of superior will and intelligence.

Lecoq was engaged in following out his course of reasoning.  “The murderer, leaving the ball at the Rainbow, a dancing-house not far from here, near the fortifications, came to this wine-shop, accompanied by two women.  He found three men drinking here, who either began teasing him, or who displayed too much gallantry toward his companions.  He became angry.  The others threatened him; he was one against three; he was armed; he became wild with rage, and fired—­”

He checked himself, and an instant after added, aloud:  “But was it the murderer who brought these women here?  If he is tried, this will be the important point.  It is necessary to obtain information regarding it.”