A voice cried out to me, 'Who was most
interested in Claudine's death?' And the knowledge of my imminent peril
forced from me the exclamation you speak of."
His explanation was more than plausible, was possible, and even likely.
It had the advantage, too, of anticipating the axiom, "Search out the
one whom the crime will benefit!" Tabaret had spoken truly, when he said
that they would not easily make the prisoner confess.
M. Daburon admired Albert's presence of mind, and the resources of his
perverse imagination.
"You do indeed," continued the magistrate, "appear to have had the
greatest interest in this death. Moreover, I will inform you that
robbery was not the object of the crime. The things thrown into the
Seine have been recovered. We know, also, that all the widow's papers
were burnt. Could they compromise any one but yourself? If you know of
any one, speak."
"What can I answer, sir? Nothing."
"Have you often gone to see this woman?"
"Three or four times with my father."
"One of your coachmen pretends to have driven you there at least ten
times."
"The man is mistaken. But what matters the number of visits?"
"Do you recollect the arrangements of the rooms? Can you describe them?"
"Perfectly, sir: there were two.
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