He, more than anyone, must surely know
how the miracle was accomplished,--for the worthy Felix tells me he
is 'wise beyond his years'!"
"So! His wisdom will be put to the test to-day!" said Moretti
coldly, "Do you not think it strange"--here he raised his eyes from
his papers, "and somewhat incriminating too--always supposing the
miracle is a case of conspiracy--that no trace has been discovered
of the man Claude Cazeau?"
Gherardi had moved to a book-case, and was standing close to it,
turning over a vellum-bound manuscript.
"Yes--the whole business looks as black as murder!" he said.
Moretti looked at him sharply.
"Murder? You suppose--"
"That Claude Cazeau has been murdered? Certainly I suppose it! It is
more than a week now since we heard that he had mysteriously
disappeared, and still there is no news. What can it be but murder?
But I do not for a moment suppose that our good Saint Felix is
concerned in it!"
And he smiled, turning over the vellum volume carelessly.
Moretti knitted his dark brows.
"No--no!" he said musingly, "That would not be possible! Cardinal
Bonpre is not that kind of man--he would rather bear the heaviest
weight of punishment for himself than allow another to suffer.
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