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He looked upon it as a good sign, and his mind felt a slight relief. M. Patrigent turned toward the clerk, and said: "We will begin now, Sigault; pay attention." "What is your name?" he then asked, looking at Prosper. "Auguste Prosper Bertomy." "How old are you?" "I shall be thirty the 5th of next May." "What is your profession?" "I am that is, I was cashier in M. Andre Fauvel's bank."
Justice must not be kept in ignorance of your intention of following up this affair. M. Patrigent will tell you to watch Prosper; you will reply that you will not lose sight of him. I myself will answer for his being in safe-keeping." "Suppose he asks me about Gypsy?" M. Lecoq hesitated for a moment.
"The day to which you allude, I sold through an agent some bonds I had, about three thousand francs; besides, I took from the safe two thousand francs in advance on my salary." The prisoner had given clear answers to all the questions put to him, and M. Patrigent thought he would attack him on a new point.
Now you can return to your cell; and once more I advise you to consider the consequences of your persistent denial." M. Patrigent thus abruptly dismissed Prosper because he wished to immediately act upon this last piece of information.
It was in broken tones that Prosper answered these last questions. There are moments in the life of a man when home memories encourage and console him; there are also moments when he would be thankful to be without a single tie, and bitterly regrets that he is not alone in the world. M. Patrigent observed the prisoner's emotion, when he spoke of his parents.
"Excuse me: no one else, since he alone knew the word. Had he any interest in robbing himself?" "I can think of none." "Well, now I will tell you what interest you had in robbing him." M. Patrigent spoke as a man who was convinced of the facts he was about to state; but his assurance was all assumed.
"What have you to answer?" asked the judge. "That I am innocent, monsieur; I swear that I am innocent!" "I hope you are," said M. Patrigent, "and you may count upon me to assist you to the extent of my ability in proving your innocence. You must have defence, some facts to state; have you not?" "Ah, monsieur, what can I say, when I cannot understand this dreadful business myself?
When she received her summons from M. Patrigent, she admired the wonderful skill of the police in discovering her hiding-place; for she had established herself at the hotel under a false, or rather her true name, Palmyre Chocareille. Artfully questioned by her inquisitive landlady, she had, without any mistrust, confided her history to her.
"I spent this money cheerfully, but nevertheless I was not especially attached to her." M. Patrigent shrugged his shoulders. "You cannot deny the evidence," said he. "I suppose you will also say that it was not for this girl's sake you ceased spending your evenings at M. Fauvel's?" "I swear that she was not the cause of my ceasing to visit M. Fauvel's family."
And, if that is not enough for you, go to the magistrate who examined me; his name is Patrigent." And she waited, waited, but not a word came forth. Daniel had sunk, undone, into a chair; and his elbow resting on a small stand, his brow in his hands, he endeavored to think, to reason. Then Miss Brandon rose, came gently up to him, and taking his hand, said softly, "I beseech you!"
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