his son.

"Let us go," said he at last.

They were returning to the house when the valet proposed to pass
over the ditch. "That will be the quickest way," said he, "I will
go for a ladder which we will put across."

He went off, and quickly reappeared with his improvised foot-bridge.
But at the moment he was adjusting it, the mayor cried out to him:

"Stop!"

The imprints left by the Bertauds on both sides of the ditch had
just caught his eye.

"What is this?" said he; "evidently someone has crossed here, and
not long ago; for the traces of the steps are quite fresh."

After an examination of some minutes he ordered that the ladder
should be placed farther off. When they had reached the boat, he
said to Jean, "Is this the boat with which you went to take up your
nets this morning?"

"Yes."

"Then," resumed M. Courtois, "what implements did you use? your
cast net is perfectly dry; this boat-hook and these oars have not
been wet for twenty-four hours."