So, if they
rise again, if money and credit come back again, then the old
magistrate is right--they have obtained possession of the Chalusse
millions!"
IX
On this side, at least, Mademoiselle Marguerite had no very wide
field of investigation to explore. Her common sense told her that
her task would merely consist in carefully watching the behavior
of the General and his wife, in noting their expenditure, and so
on. It was a matter of close attention, and of infinitesimal
trifles. Nor was she much encouraged by her first success. It
was, perhaps, important; and yet it might be nothing. For she
felt that the real difficulties would not begin until she became
morally certain that the General had stolen the millions that were
missing from the count's escritoire. Even then it would remain
for her to discover how he had obtained possession of this money.
And when she had succeeded in doing this, would her task be ended?
Certainly not. She must obtain sufficient evidence to give her
the right of accusing the General openly, and in the face of every
one. She must have material and indisputable proofs before she
could say: "A robbery has been committed. I was accused of it. I
was innocent. Here is the culprit!"
What a long journey must be made before this goal was reached! No
matter! Now that she had a positive and fixed point of departure,
she felt that she possessed enough energy to sustain her in her
endeavors for years, if need be.
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