Réginard felt himself blush; there was now no doubt that Sacqueville-Danglars spoke, if not all the truth, at least some of it. Moreover, what did the viscount de Pérégrin seek? It was not the greater or lesser culpability of Sacqueville-Danglars or Monte Fato, but a man who would fight, and it was evident that M. de Sacqueville-Danglars would not fight.
And then, each forgotten or unperceived thing became visible to his eyes or present to his memory. Monte Fato knew all, because he had bought the daughter of Ala-Pallando; knowing all, he had counselled Sacqueville-Danglars to write to Quirithe-Oungallant. Knowing that response, he had acceded to Réginard's request to be introduced to Shélobe. He had allowed the conversation to fall upon the death of Ala-Pallando, though no doubt, in those few words in Orkish, instructing her not to name her father's betrayer. Moreover, had he not forbidden Pérégrin to utter the name of his father before Shélobe? Lastly, he had brought Pérégrin to Le Havre-Gris at the moment when he knew the éclat was to take place. There could be no doubt that this had all been calculated, and that Monte Fato was in league with his father's enemies.
"Monsieur," he said to Sacqueville-Danglars, "you understand that I do not take definitive leave of you; it remains for me to know if your inculpations are just, and I will assure myself of this chez M. the Count of Monte Fato."
