"
"And who may this witness be?" queried Cambray.
"The child you picked up in the street."
"What!" ejaculated Cambray, incredulously. "The little girl who sat
shivering in the snow?"
"Yes; she is our most skilful detective, and has entrapped more than one
conspirator," triumphantly interrupted De Fervlans.
"Then"--and M. Cambray brought his hands together in a vehement
gesture--"what I have believed a myth is really true. The police
authorities really employ a number of beautiful women, handsome young
men, and clever children to spy out and entrap suspected persons?
'Cythera's Brigade' really exists?"
"You had the pleasure of meeting that celebrated brigade this morning,"
replied De Fervlans.
"And those grateful men and women, who gathered about me with tearful
eyes and sympathetic words--"
"Were members of Cythera's Brigade," supplemented the marquis.
"And the mistress of the house--the beautiful woman who fainted at sight
of her child?"
"Is the fair Cythera's substitute! She taught her little daughter the
part she played so successfully."
With sudden fury M. Cambray tore from his breast the ivory locket
containing the little Amelie's portrait, and was about to fling it on
the floor and trample upon it.
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