Chapter 25
Thus proceeding from one point to another, and by the unaided power of his sagacity, coupled with indefatigable activity, the magistrate had succeeded in establishing Crochard's guilt, and the existence of accomplices who had instigated the crime. No one could doubt that he was proud of it, and that his self-esteem had increased, although he tried hard to preserve his stiff and impassive appearance. He had even affected a certain dislike to the idea of reading Henrietta's letter, until he should have proved that he could afford to do without such assistance.
But, now that he had proved this so amply, he very quickly asked for the letter, and read it. Like the chief surgeon, he, also, was struck and amazed by the wickedness of M. de Brevan.
"But here is exactly what we want," he exclaimed,--"an irrefragable proof of complicity. He would never have dared to abuse Miss Ville- Handry's confidence in so infamous a manner, if he had not been persuaded, in fact been quite sure, that Lieut. Champcey would never return to France."
Then, after a few minutes' reflection, he added,--
"And yet I feel that there is something underneath still, which we do not see. Why had they determined upon M. Champcey's death even before he sailed? What direct and pressing interest could M. de Brevan have in wishing him dead at that time? Something must have happened between the two which we do not know."
"What?"
"Ah! that is what I cannot conceive. But remember what I say, doctor: the future reserves some fearful mysteries yet to be revealed to us hereafter."
The two men had been so entirely preoccupied with their thoughts, that they were unconscious of the flight of time; and they were not a little astonished, therefore, when they now noticed that the day was gone, and night was approaching. The lawyer rose, and asked, returning Henrietta's letter to the doctor,--
"Is this the only one M. Champcey has received?"
"No; but it is the only one he has opened."
"Would you object to handing me the others?" The excellent doctor hesitated.
"I will hand them to you," he said at last, "if you will assure me that the interests of justice require it. But why not wait"--
He did not dare say, "Why not wait for M. Champcey's death?" but the lawyer understood him.
"I will wait," he said.
While thus talking, they had reached the door. They shook hands; and the chief surgeon, his heart fall of darkest presentiments, slowly made his way to the hospital.
A great surprise awaited him there. Daniel, whom he had left in a desperate condition, almost dying,--Daniel slept profoundly, sweetly. His pale face had recovered its usual expression; and his respiration was free and regular.
"It is almost indescribable," said the old doctor, whose experience was utterly at fault. "I am an ass; and our science is a bubble."
Turning to Lefloch, who had respectfully risen at his entrance, he asked,-- "Since when has your master been sleeping in this way?"
"For an hour, commandant."
"How did he fall asleep?"
"Quite naturally, commandant. After you left, the lieutenant was for some time pretty wild yet; but soon he quieted down, and finally he asked for something to drink. I gave him a cup of your tea; he took it, and then asked me to help him turn over towards the wall. I did so, and I saw him remain so, his arm bent, and his head in his hand, like a man who is thinking profoundly. But about a quarter of an hour later, all of a sudden, I thought I heard him gasp. I came up softly on tiptoe, and looked. I was mistaken; the lieutenant was not gasping, he was crying like a baby; and what I had heard were sobs. Ah, commandant! I felt as if somebody had kicked me in the stomach. Because, you see, I know him; and I know, that, before a man such as he is goes to crying like a little child, he must have suffered more than death itself. Holy God! If I knew where I could catch them, these rascals who give him all this trouble"--
His fists rose instinctively, and most undoubtedly something bright started from his eyes which looked prodigiously like a tear rolling slowly down one of the deep furrows in his cheek.
"Now," he continued in a half-stifled voice, "I saw why the lieutenant had wished to turn his face to the wall, and I went back without making a noise. A moment after that, he began talking aloud. But he was right in his senses now, I tell you."
"What did he say?"
"Ah! he said something like, 'Henrietta, Henrietta!' Always that good friend of his, for whom he was forever calling when he had the fever. And then he said, 'I am killing her, I!
I am the cause of her death. Fool, stupid, idiot that I am! He has sworn to kill me and Henrietta, the wretch! He swore it no doubt, the very day on which I, fool as I was, confided Henrietta and my whole fortune to him.'"
"Did he say that?"
"The very words, commandant, but better, a great deal better." The old surgeon seemed to be amazed.
"That cunning lawyer had judged rightly," he said. "He suspected there was something else; and here it is."
"You say, commandant?" asked the good sailor. "Nothing of interest to you. Go on."
"Well, after that--but there is nothing more to tell, except that I heard nothing more. The lieutenant remained in the same position till I came to light the lamp; then he ordered me to make him tack ship, and to let down the screen over the lamp. I did so. He gave out two or three big sighs, and then goodnight, and nothing more. He was asleep as you see him now."
"And how did his eyes look when he fell asleep?"
"Quite calm and bright."
The doctor looked like a man to whom something has happened which is utterly inexplicable to him, and said in a low voice,--
"He will pull through, I am sure now. I said there could not be another miracle; and here it is!"
Then turning to Lefloch, he asked,-- "You know where I am staying?"
"Yes, commandant."
"If your officer wakes up in the night, you will send for me at once."
"Yes, commandant."
But Daniel did not wake up; and he had hardly opened his eyes on the next morning, about eight o'clock, when the chief surgeon entered his room. At the first glance at his patient, he exclaimed,--
"I am sure our imprudence yesterday will have no bad effects!"
Daniel said nothing; but, after the old surgeon had carefully examined him, he began,-- "Now, doctor, one question, a single one: in how many days will I be able to get up and take ship?"
"Ah! my dear lieutenant, there is time enough to talk about that."
"No, doctor, no! I must have an answer. Fix a time, and I shall have the fortitude to wait; but uncertainty will kill me. Yes, I shall manage to wait, although I suffer like"-- The surgeon was evidently deeply touched.
"I know what you suffer, my poor Champcey," he said; "I read that letter which came much nearer killing you than Crochard's ball. I think in a month you will be able to sail."
"A month!" said Daniel in a tone as if he had said an age. And after a pause he added,-- "That is not all, doctor: I want to ask you for the letters which I could not read yesterday."
"What? You would-- But that would be too great an imprudence."
"No, doctor, don't trouble yourself. The blow has fallen. If I did not lose my mind yesterday, that shows that my reason can stand the most terrible trial. I have, God be thanked, all my energy. I know I must live, if I want to save Henrietta,--to avenge her, if I should come too late. That thought, you may rest assured, will keep me alive."
The surgeon hesitated no longer: the next moment Daniel opened the other two letters from Henrietta. One, very long, was only a repetition of the first he had read. The other consisted only of a few lines:--
"M. de Brevan has just left me. When the man told me mockingly that I need not count upon your return, and cast an atrocious look at me, I understood. Daniel, that man wants your life; and he has hired assassins. For my sake, if not for your own, I beseech you be careful. Take care, be watchful; think that you are the only friend, the sole hope here below, of your Henrietta."
Now it was truly seen that Daniel had not presumed too much on his strength and his courage. Not a muscle in his face