The loss of his overcoat only troubled him for a moment. On reflection,
he reassured himself, saying: "Pshaw! who will ever know?"
Everything had resulted in accordance with his calculations; it was, in
his opinion, a matter of patience.
But when Madame Gerdy read the account of the murder, the unhappy woman
divined her son's work, and, in the first paroxysms of her grief, she
declared that she would denounce him.
He was terrified. A frightful delirium had taken possession of his
mother. One word from her might destroy him. Putting a bold face on it,
however, he acted at once and staked his all.
To put the police on Albert's track was to guarantee his own safety,
to insure to himself, in the event of a probable success, Count de
Commarin's name and fortune.
Circumstances, as well as his own terror, increased his boldness and his
ingenuity.
Old Tabaret's visit occurred just at the right moment.
Noel knew of his connection with the police, and guessed that the old
fellow would make a most valuable confidant.
So long as Madame Gerdy lived, Noel trembled. In her delirium she
might betray him at any moment. But when she had breathed her last, he
believed himself safe.
Pages:
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573