"Ah! what has he done, then?"
"What has he done?... I'll tell you what he has done!—--"
"Forgive me, father," said Adolphe, trying to get in a word or two of justification,—"forgive me, father, but M. Collard is mistaken.... He believes——"
"Hold your tongue, you scoundrel!" yelled M. Collard, kicking him.
Then, turning to the Count de Ribbing, he said—
"Listen, my dear de Leuven, and I will tell you where I have found this son of yours."
"But I must protest, dear M. Collard, it was solely and simply to——"
"Be quiet!" interrupted M. Collard. "Come with us: you shall clear yourself if you can."
"Oh," said Adolphe, "that will not be difficult."