"It is clear enough now," he went on, "that it was Mademoiselle Courtois who put an end to his hesitation and eternal delay.His passion for her, irritated by obstacles, goaded him to delirium.
On learning her condition, he lost his head and forgot all prudence and reason.He was wearied, too, of a punishment which began anew each morning; he saw himself lost, and his wife sacrificing herself for the malignant pleasure of sacrificing him.Terrified, he took the resolution to commit this murder."Many of the circumstances which had established M.Lecoq's conviction had escaped Dr.Gendron.
"What!" cried he, stupefied."Do you believe in Mademoiselle Laurence's complicity?"The'detective earnestly protested by a gesture.
"No, Doctor, certainly not; heaven forbid that I should have such an idea.Mademoiselle Courtois was and is still ignorant of this crime.But she knew that Tremorel would abandon his wife for her.
This flight had been discussed, planned, and agreed upon between them; they made an appointment to meet at a certain place, on a certain day.""But this letter," said the doctor.
M.Plantat could scarcely conceal his emotion whet Laurence was being talked about.
"This letter," cried he, "which has plunged her family into the deepest grief, and which will perhaps kill poor Courtois, is only one more scene of the infamous drama which the count has planned.""Oh," said the doctor, " is it possible?
"I am firmly of Monsieur Plantat's opinion," said the detective.
"Last evening we had the same suspicion at the same moment at the mayor's.I read and re-read her letter, and could have sworn that it did not emanate from herself.The count gave her a rough draft from which she copied it.We mustn't deceive ourselves ; this letter was meditated, pondered on, and composed at leisure.Those were not the expressions of an unhappy young girl of twenty who was going to kill herself to escape dishonor.""Perhaps you are right," remarked the doctor visibly moved."But how can you imagine that Tremorel succeeded in persuading her to do this wretched act?""How? See here, Doctor, I am not much experienced in such things, having seldom had occasion to study the characters of well-brought-up young girls; yet it seems to me very simple.Mademoiselle Courtois saw the time coming when her disgrace would be public, and so prepared for it, and was even ready to die if necessary."M.Plantat shuddered; a conversation which he had had with Laurence occurred to him.She had asked him, he remembered, about certain poisonous plants which he was cultivating, and had been anxious to know how the poisonous juices could be extracted from them.
"Yes," said he, "she has thought of dying.""Well," resumed the detective, "the count took her in one of the moods when these sad thoughts haunted the poor girl, and was easily able to complete his work of ruin.She undoubtedly told him that she preferred death to shame, and he proved to her that, being in the condition in which she was, she had no right to kill herself.
He said that he was very unhappy; and that not being free, he could not repair his fault; but he offered to sacrifice his life for her.
