He wished, he said, to keep well posted up in the different
phases of the investigation, and to be informed of the result of future
interrogations. He ended by asking permission to communicate with
Albert, He thought his services deserved this slight favour. He desired
an interview of only ten minutes without witnesses.
M. Daburon refused this request. He declared, that, for the present, the
prisoner must continue to remain strictly in solitary confinement.
By way of consolation, he added that, in three or four days, he might
perhaps be able to reconsider this decision, as the motives which
prompted it would then no longer exist.
"Your refusal is cruel, sir," said M. Tabaret; "but I understand it, and
submit."
That was his only complaint: and he withdrew almost immediately, fearing
that he could no longer master his indignation. He felt that, besides
the great happiness of saving an innocent man, compromised by his
imprudence, he would experience unspeakable delight in avenging himself
for the magistrate's obstinacy.
"Three or four days," he muttered, "that is the same as three or four
years to the unfortunate prisoner. He takes things quite at his ease,
this charming magistrate.
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