...of getting away with murder

An hour later as Francois-Jules re-entered his room, having come to his senses again, he was affrighted by the horror of his crime. The tormenting grief of having killed his idol was mingled in his mind with the fear of punishment and of seeing his name sullied by the greatest dishonour, which would fall also upon his son.

Then the unfortunate man became calmer, reflecting that, as everything had taken place in silence, no evidence could be forthcoming - and since he had never allowed anything of his love to transpire, he might easily defy suspicion behind the irreproachable rectitude of his entire life. At eight o'clock the servant who usually work Andree every day gave the alarm, and Francois-Jules himself called in the law.

[Locus Solus, Roussel, R.]