They were found under the floor of the bedroom." And even as he spoke a newsboy's voice rang out in the street below them.

Lemerre was alarmed by the look upon his friend's face.
"Does it matter, Hanaud ?" he asked, with some solicitude.
"It matters--" and Hanaud rose up abruptly.
The boy's voice sounded louder in the street below.

The words became distinct to all upon that balcony.
"The Aix murder! Discovery of the jewels!" "We must go," Hanaud whispered hoarsely.

"Here are life and death in the balance, as I believe, and there"-- he pointed down to the little group gathering about the newsboy under the trees--"there is the command which way to tip the scales." "It was not I who sent it," said Ricardo eagerly.
He had no precise idea what Hanaud meant by his words; but he realised that the sooner he exculpated himself from the charge the better.
"Of course it was not you.

I know that very well," said Hanaud.