"  Justice  now  demands  some  information  from  you
concerning  the  habitues  of  your  mother's  establish-
ment."

"  There  are  a  great  many  of  them,  M'sieur,"  re-
sponded Polyte,  in  a  coarse,  harsh  voice.
"  Do  you  know  one  among  them  by  the  name  of
Gustave?"

"  No,  M'sieur."

To  insist  would  probably  awaken  suspicion  in
Polyte's  mind,  if  he  was  really  speaking  the  truth ;  so
M.  Segmuller  continued:

"  You  must,  however,  remember  Lacheneur?  "

"  Lacheneur?  It  is  the  first  time  I  have  ever  heard
that  name."

"  Take  care.  The  police  have  means  of  finding  out
a  great  many  things."

The  scapegrace  did  not  flinch.
"  I  am  telling  the  truth,  M'sieur,"  he  insisted.
"  What  interest  could  I  possibly  have  in  deceiving
you?"

The  door  opened  suddenly,  and  Toinon,  his  wife,  en-
tered with  her  child  in  her  arms.
On  seeing  her  husband,  the  poor  woman  uttered  a
cry  of  joy,  and  sprang  toward  him.     But  Polyte,  step-


224  MONSIEUR    LECOQ

ping  back,  bestowed  upon  her  a  terrible  glance  that
rooted  her  to  the  spot.
"  It  must  be  my  enemy  who  pretends  that  I  know-
anyone  named  Lacheneur!  I  would  like,  to  kill  the  per-
son who  uttered  such  a  falsehood.  Yes;  kill  the  per-
son— and  I  will  never  forgive  it."


CHAPTER  XXVII

Having  received  orders  to  go  in  search  of  Lecoq  and
to  bring  him  back,  if  he  succeeded  in  finding  him,  M.
Segmuller's  messenger  had  started  on  his  errand.
The  commission  was  not  at  all  disagreeable  to  him;
it  afforded  him  an  excuse  for  quitting  his  post,  and  also
a  very  pleasant  little  stroll  through  the  neighborhood.
