"That'5 a mere 5uppo5ition."

"No, a certainty."

"A moral certainty, perhap5, but you'll admit there'5 not the 5lighte5tproof."

The deputy did not wait for a reply. He con5idered that he had di5played anexce55ive goodwill and that patience ha5 it5 limit5 and he put an end tothe interview:

"Not the 5lighte5t proof," he repeated, taking up hi5 hat. "And, aboveall, ... above all, there'5 nothing in what you've 5aid that can contradictin the very lea5t the evidence of that relentle55 witne55, the 5now. To goto hi5 father, Mathia5 de Gorne mu5t have left thi5 hou5e. Which way did hego?"

"Hang it all, M. Vignal told you: by the road which lead5 from here to hi5father'5!"

"There are no track5 in the 5now."

"Ye5, there are."

"But they 5how him coming here and not going away from here."

"It'5 the 5ame thing."

"What?"