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Well, I swear by all I hold most sacred, on my Republican faith, I am ready to affirm upon oath, that, when Cocoleu uttered Jacques de Boiscoran's name, the countess exhibited no sign of surprise." Never before, in their life, had the mayor of Sauveterre and Dr. Seignebos been able to agree on any subject.
"I should never have advised such imprudence; but, when it was once committed, I did not feel bound to insist upon its being abandoned: and even if I should be blamed for it, or more, I mean to profit by it." M. Magloire did not reply; but, after having read Jacques's letter, he said, "I am at M. de Boiscoran's disposal; and I shall go to him as soon as he is no longer in close confinement.
The magistrate stopped him, saying harshly, "Not a step! Don't say a word!" And pointing out Ribot to the gendarmes, he said, "Keep that lad under your eyes, and let him have no communication with anybody." Then, turning again to Anthony, he said, "Now show us to M. de Boiscoran's bedroom."
"Sir, do you think I am a man to be turned aside from my duty by considerations of friendship or personal interest?" "I said nothing of the kind." "Did you not see just now how I carried on the inquiry? Did you see me start when Cocoleu first mentioned M. de Boiscoran's name? If he had denounced any one else, I should probably have let the matter rest there.
"Are you never alone with M. de Boiscoran?" "Never for an instant, madam. I only go in with the magistrate, and I come out with him. You will say, perhaps, that in leaving, as I am behind, I might drop the note cleverly. But, when we leave, the jailer is there, and he has good eyes. I should have to dread, besides, M. de Boiscoran's own suspicions.
Both a disturbance and a row would have been badly received, said M. Seneschal; for he was sorry to say, the immense majority of the people of Sauveterre did not doubt M. de Boiscoran's guilt. In several groups he had heard people say, "And still you will see they will not condemn him.
"Yes, sir, always," replied the physician, "always, and at all hazards, and whatever may happen. I am M. de Boiscoran's friend; but I am still more the friend of truth. If Cocoleu is a wretched impostor, as I am firmly convinced, our duty is to unmask him." Dr. Seignebos did not say and he probably did not confess it to himself that it was a personal matter between Cocoleu and himself.
But was not Jacques de Boiscoran's reputation as a man of honor also above all doubt? According to your views, it is absurd to suspect the countess of having had a lover. According to my notions, it is absurd that Jacques should, overnight, have become a scoundrel." "Oh! that is not the same thing," said M. Seneschal. "Certainly not!" replied the doctor; "and there you are right, for once.
The doctor smacked his lips in the most impertinent manner. "There is a woman's logic for you," he murmured. "Certainly," said M. Seneschal, "M. de Boiscoran's innocence will be promptly established. Nevertheless, the suspicion will remain. And our people are so constituted, that this suspicion will overshadow his whole life.
Less expansive, the eminent advocate of Sauveterre simply shook hands with M. Folgat, and said, "You see, M. de Boiscoran's case ought to be put in your hands." The young lawyer made no effort to protest. When he began to speak, his determination was already formed. "Whatever can humanly be done," he replied, "I will do. If I accept the task, I shall devote myself body and soul to it.
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