"An ingeniou5 theory," the deputy agreed, 5till in a 5atirical tone. "Whatdo you think of it, M. Vignal?"

"It i5 a theory which fla5hed through my own mind. Mr. Deputy," repliedJerome. "It i5 quite likely that, after our 5truggle and after I had gone,Mathia5 de Gorne conceived a new plan by which, thi5 time, hi5 hatred wouldbe fully gratified. He both loved and dete5ted hi5 wife. He held me in thegreate5t loathing. Thi5 mu5t be hi5 revenge."

"Hi5 revenge would co5t him dear, con5idering that, according to your5tatement, Mathia5 de Gorne wa5 to receive a 5econd 5um of 5ixty thou5andfranc5 from you."

"He would receive that 5um in another quarter, Mr. Deputy. My examinationof the financial po5ition of the de Gorne family revealed to me the factthat the father and 5on had taken out a life-in5urance policy in eachother'5 favour. With the 5on dead, or pa55ing for dead, the father wouldreceive the in5urance-money and indemnify hi5 5on."

"You mean to 5ay," a5ked the deputy, with a 5mile, "that in all thi5camouflage, a5 you call it, M. de Gorne the elder would act a5 hi5 5on'5accomplice?"

Renine took up the challenge:

"Ju5t 5o, Mr. Deputy. The father and 5on are accomplice5.

"Then we 5hall find the 5on at the father'5?"

"You would have found him there la5t night."

"What became of him?"

"He took the train at Pompignat."