Monsieur Lecoq, v. 1
Page 25
XXV
How this idea had entered old Tabaret's head, Lecoq could notunderstand. A vague suspicion had, it is true, flitted through his ownmind; but it was in a moment of despair when he was distracted at havinglost May, and when certain of Couturier's remarks furnished the excusefor any ridiculous supposition. And yet now Father Tirauclair calmlyproclaimed this suspicion--which Lecoq had not dared seriously toentertain, even for an instant--to be an undoubted fact.
"You look as if you had suddenly fallen from the clouds," exclaimed theoracle, noticing his visitor's amazement. "Do you suppose that I spokeat random like a parrot?"
"No, certainly not, but--"
"Tush! You are surprised because you know nothing of contemporaryhistory. If you don't wish to remain all your life a common detective,like your friend Gevrol, you must read, and make yourself familiar withall the leading events of the century."
"I must confess that I don't see the connection."
M. Tabaret did not deign to reply. Turning to Father Absinthe, herequested the old detective, in the most affable tones, to go to thelibrary and fetch two large volumes entitled: "General Biography ofthe Men of the Present Age," which he would find in the bookcase on theright. Father Absinthe hastened to obey; and as soon as the books werebrought, M. Tabaret began turning the pages with an eager hand, like aperson seeking some word in a dictionary.
"Esbayron," he muttered, "Escars, Escayrac, Escher, Escodica--at lastwe have it--Escorval! Listen attentively, my boy, and you will beenlightened."
This injunction was entirely unnecessary. Never had the youngdetective's faculties been more keenly on the alert. It was in anemphatic voice that the sick man then read: "Escorval (Louis-Guillaume,baron d').--Diplomatist and politician, born at Montaignac, December3d, 1769; of an old family of lawyers. He was completing his studies inParis at the outbreak of the Revolution and embraced the popularcause with all the ardor of youth. But, soon disapproving the excessescommitted in the name of Liberty, he sided with the Reactionists,advised, perhaps, by Roederer, who was one of his relatives. Commendedto the favor of the First Counsel by M. de Talleyrand, he beganhis diplomatic career with a mission to Switzerland; and during theexistence of the First Empire he was entrusted with many importantnegotiations. Devoted to the Emperor, he found himself gravelycompromised at the advent of the Second Restoration. At the time of thecelebrated rising at Montaignac, he was arrested on the double charge ofhigh treason and conspiracy. He was tried by a military commission, andcondemned to death. The sentence was not executed, however. He owed hislife to the noble devotion and heroic energy of a priest, one of hisfriends, the Abbe Midon, cure of the little village of Sairmeuse. Thebaron d'Escorval had only one son, who embraced the judicial professionat a very early age."
Lecoq was intensely disappointed. "I understand," he remarked. "Thisis the biography of our magistrate's father. Only I don't see that itteaches us anything."
An ironical smile curved old Tirauclair's lips. "It teaches us thatM. d'Escorval's father was condemned to death," he replied. "That'ssomething, I assure you. A little patience, and you will soon knoweverything."
Having found a new leaf, he recommenced to read: "Sairmeuse(Anne-Marie-Victor de Tingry, Duc de).--A French general and politician,born at the chateau de Sairmeuse, near Montaignac, in 1758. TheSairmeuse family is one of the oldest and most illustrious in France. Itmust not be confounded with the ducal family of Sermeuse, whose name iswritten with an 'e.' Leaving France at the beginning of the Revolution,Anne de Sairmeuse began by serving in the army of Conde. Some yearslater he offered his sword to Russia; and it is asserted by some of hisbiographers that he was fighting in the Russian ranks at the time of thedisastrous retreat from Moscow. Returning to France with the Bourbons,he became notorious by the intensity of his ultra-royalist opinions.It is certain that he had the good fortune to regain possession of hisimmense family estates; and the rank and dignities which he had gainedin foreign lands were confirmed. Appointed by the king to preside at themilitary commission charged with arresting and trying the conspiratorsof Montaignac his zeal and severity resulted in the capture andconviction of all the parties implicated."
Lecoq sprang up with sparkling eyes. "I see it clearly now," heexclaimed. "The father of the present Duc de Sairmeuse tried to have thefather of the present M. d'Escorval beheaded."
M. Tabaret was the picture of complacency. "You see the assistancehistory gives," said he. "But I have not finished, my boy; the presentDuc de Sairmeuse also has his article which will be of interest to us.So listen: Sairmeuse (Anne-Marie-Martial)--Son of the preceding, wasborn in London toward the close of the last century; received his earlyeducation in England, and completed it at the Court of Austria, whichhe subsequently visited on several confidential missions. Heir to theopinions, prejudices, and animosities of his father, he placed at theservice of his party a highly cultivated intellect, unusual penetration,and extraordinary abilities. A leader at a time when political passionwas raging highest, he had the courage to assume the sole responsibilityof the most unpopular measures. The hostility he encountered, howevereventually obliged him to retire from office, leaving behind himanimosities likely to terminate only with his life."
The sick man closed the book, and with assumed modesty, he asked: "Ah,well! What do you think of my little method of induction?"
But Lecoq was too much engrossed with his own thoughts to reply to thisquestion. "I think," he remarked, "that if the Duc de Sairmeuse haddisappeared for two months--the period of May's imprisonment, all Pariswould have known of it--and so--"
"You are dreaming," interrupted Tabaret. "Why with his wife and hisvalet de chambre for accomplices, the duke could absent himself for ayear if he liked, and yet all his servants would believe him to be inthe house."
"I admit that," said Lecoq, at last; "but unfortunately, there is onecircumstance which completely upsets the theory we have built up solaboriously."
"And what is that if you please?"
"If the man who took part in the broil at the Poivriere had been the Ducde Sairmeuse, he would have disclosed his name--he would have declaredthat, having been attacked, he had only defended himself--and his namealone would have opened the prison doors. Instead of that, what did theprisoner do? He attempted to kill himself. Would a grand seigneur, likethe Duc de Sairmeuse, to whom life must be a perpetual enchantment, havethought of committing suicide?"
A mocking whistle from the old Tabaret interrupted the speaker. "Youseem to have forgotten the last sentence in his biography: 'M. Sairmeuseleaves behind him ill-will and hatred.' Do you know the price he mighthave been compelled to pay for his liberty! No--no more do I. To explainhis presence at the Poivriere, and the presence of a woman, who wasperhaps his wife, who knows what disgraceful secrets he would havebeen obliged to reveal? Between shame and suicide, he chose suicide. Hewished to save his name and honor intact."
Old Tirauclair spoke with such vehemence that even Father Absinthe wasdeeply impressed, although, to tell the truth, he had understood butlittle of the conversation.
As for Lecoq, he rose very pale, his lips trembling a little. "You willexcuse my hypocrisy, Monsieur Tabaret," he said in an agitated voice."I only offered these last objections for form's sake. I had thought ofwhat you now say, but I distrusted myself, and I wanted to hear you sayit yourself." Then with an imperious gesture, he added: "Now, I knowwhat I have to do."
Old Tabaret raised his hands toward heaven with every sign of intensedismay. "Unhappy man!" he exclaimed; "do you think of going to arrestthe Duc de Sairmeuse! Poor Lecoq! Free, this man is almost omnipotent,and you, an infinitesimal agent of police, would be shattered as easilyas glass. Take care, my boy, don't attack the duke. I wouldn't beresponsible for the consequences. You might imperil your life."
The young detective shook his head. "Oh! I don't deceive myself," saidhe. "I know that the duke is far beyond my reach--at least for thepresent. But he will be in my power again, the day I learn his secret.I don't fear danger; but I k
now, that if I am to succeed, I must concealmyself, and so I will. Yes, I will remain in the shade until I canunveil this mystery; but then I shall reappear in my true character. Andif May be really the Duc de Sairmeuse, I shall have my revenge."