Besides, it was an
arrangement between ourselves. I had told her that I would have nothing
more to do with her."
"Indeed? Well, you know that she is dead, victim of an odious crime?"
"The detective who brought me here told me of it, sir," replied the
sailor, his face darkening. "She was a wretch!" he added in a hollow
voice.
"How? You, her husband, accuse her?"
"I have but too good reason to do so, sir. Ah, my dead father, who
foresaw it all at the time, warned me! I laughed, when he said, 'Take
care, or she will dishonour us all.' He was right. Through her, I
have been hunted down by the police, just like some skulking thief.
Everywhere that they inquired after me with their warrant, people must
have said 'Ah, ha, he has then committed some crime!' And here I am
before a magistrate! Ah, sir, what a disgrace! The Lerouges have been
honest people, from father to son, ever since the world began.
Inquire of all who have ever had dealings with me, they will tell you,
'Lerouge's word is as good as another man's writing.' Yes, she was a
wicked woman; and I have often told her that she would come to a bad
end."
"You told her that?"
"More than a hundred times, sir.
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