Daburon. "Let us leave that for the
present. Do you know, sir, whether Widow Lerouge had any enemies?"
"None that I know of, sir."
"She had no enemies? Well, now tell me, does there exist to your
knowledge any one having the least interest in the death of this poor
woman?"
As he asked this question the investigating magistrate kept his eyes
fixed on Noel's, not wishing him to turn or lower his head.
The advocate started, and seemed deeply moved. He was disconcerted; he
hesitated, as if a struggle was going on within him.
Finally, in a voice which was by no means firm, he replied, "No, no
one."
"Is that really true?" asked the magistrate, looking at him more
searchingly. "You know no one whom this crime benefits, or whom it might
benefit,--absolutely no one?"
"I know only one thing, sir," replied Noel; "and that is, that, as far
as I am concerned, it has caused me an irreparable injury."
"At last," thought M. Daburon, "we have got at the letters; and I have
not betrayed poor old Tabaret. It would be too bad to cause the least
trouble to that zealous and invaluable man." He then added aloud: "An
injury to you, my dear sir? You will, I hope, explain yourself.
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