"
"You are an adroit and prompt fellow, M. Martin," interrupted the
magistrate. "I am well satisfied with you; and I will report you
favourably at headquarters."
He rang his bell, while the detective, delighted at the praise he had
received, moved backwards to the door, bowing the while.
Albert was then brought in.
"Have you decided, sir," asked the investigating magistrate without
preamble, "to give me a true account of how you spent last Tuesday
evening?"
"I have already told you, sir."
"No, sir, you have not; and I regret to say that you lied to me."
Albert, at this apparent insult, turned red, and his eyes flashed.
"I know all that you did on that evening," continued the magistrate,
"because justice, as I have already told you, is ignorant of nothing
that it is important for it to know."
Then, looking straight into Albert's eyes, he continued slowly: "I have
seen Mademoiselle Claire d'Arlange."
On hearing that name, the prisoner's features, contracted by a firm
resolve not to give way, relaxed.
It seemed as though he experienced an immense sensation of delight, like
a man who escapes almost by a miracle from an imminent danger which he
had despaired of avoiding.
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