However, he made no reply.
"Mademoiselle d'Arlange," continued the magistrate, "has told me where
you were on Tuesday evening."
Albert still hesitated.
"I am not setting a trap for you," added M. Daburon; "I give you my word
of honour. She has told me all, you understand?"
This time Albert decided to speak.
His explanations corresponded exactly with Claire's; not one detail
more. Henceforth, doubt was impossible.
Mademoiselle d'Arlange had not been imposed upon. Either Albert was
innocent, or she was his accomplice.
Could she knowingly be the accomplice of such an odious crime? No; she
could not even be suspected of it.
But who then was the assassin?
For, when a crime has been committed, justice demands a culprit.
"You see, sir," said the magistrate severely to Albert, "you did deceive
me. You risked your life, sir, and, what is also very serious, you
exposed me, you exposed justice, to commit a most deplorable mistake.
Why did you not tell me the truth at once?"
"Mademoiselle d'Arlange, sir," replied Albert, "in according me a
meeting, trusted in my honour."
"And you would have died sooner than mention that interview?"
interrupted M.
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