It was open--"
The commissary looked at the police-officer, who nodded intelligently.
"I had already noticed it, Mr. Commissary. The window gives upon a low
roof, which communicates with the back street. Escape would be quite
easy from that side."
"Well," said the commissary, "and you found this gentleman? Do you
know him? His name? Have you ever seen him before?"
"He is M. le Baron d'Enot; he is a constant visitor at the house. Very
fortunate, I believe, and I heard he won largely last night."
"Ah!" said the commissary. This fact was important, as affording a
reason for the crime. "And do you suspect any one? Have you any idea
who was here at the last?"
"I scarcely noticed the gentlemen as they went away; it would be
impossible for me, therefore, to say who remained."
"Then there is no clue--"
"Hush! Mr. Commissary." It was the doctor's exclamation. "The victim
is still alive, and is trying, I think, to speak." Evidence given at
the point of death has extreme value in every country, under every
kind of law. The commissary therefore bent his head, closely attentive
to catch any words the dying man might utter.
"Water! water!" he gasped out. "Revenge me; it was a foul and cowardly
blow."
"Who struck you, can you tell us? Do you know him?" inquired the
commissary, eagerly.
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