In relation to Michu, Lechesneau knew of the threats the man had made about the sale of Gondreville to Marion, and the danger Malin had escaped in his own park from Michu's gun.

These two facts, one being the consequence of the other, were no doubt the precursors of the present successful attack, and they pointed so obviously to the late bailiff as the instigator of the outrage that Grevin, his wife, Violette, and Madame Marion declared that they had recognized among the five masked men one who exactly resembled Michu.
The color of the hair and whiskers and the thick-set figure of the man made the mask he wore useless.

Besides, who but Michu could have opened the iron gates of the park with a key?
The present bailiff and his wife, now returned from the masquerade, deposed to have locked both gates before leaving the pavilion.

The gates when examined showed no sign of being forced.
"When we turned him off he must have taken some duplicate keys with him," remarked Grevin.

"No doubt he has been meditating a desperate step, for he has lately sold his whole property, and he received the money for it in my office day before yesterday." "The others have followed his lead!" exclaimed Lechesneau, struck with the circumstances.