We have now arrived,' he resumed, 'at some idea of the composition of the gang--for I incline to the hypothesis of more than one--and we now leave this room, which can disclose no more, and turn our attention to the court and garden.

(Jean-Marie, I trust you are observantly following my various steps; this is an excellent piece of education for you.) Come with me to the door.

No steps on the court; it is unfortunate our court should be paved.

On what small matters hang the destiny of these delicate investigations! Hey! What have we here?
I have led on to the very spot,' he said, standing grandly backward and indicating the green gate.

'An escalade, as you can now see for yourselves, has taken place.' Sure enough, the green paint was in several places scratched and broken; and one of the panels preserved the print of a nailed shoe.