"Give them to Lebas," said Robespierre.
Lebas took the packet from the agent's hands.
"Go and examine them by the mantelpiece under the lamp," Robespierre continued, "and tell me their contents."
The curiosity of the women had now reached its height. Héron had drawn out a gold medallion, encircled with small pearls.
"Those are real pearls," observed mother Duplay.
The medallion was opened, and found to contain a lock of fair hair, with the initials M.T. The jewel was handed round, admired, and examined carefully, giving rise to all sorts of reflections, in Olivier's presence, who looked on apparently unconcerned.
Robespierre was exasperated at this indifference. He knew, however, how to restrain himself, and said mockingly—
"You will not tell me, I suppose, that there is nothing extraordinary for a sum of money like that and such jewels to be found in the possession of an apprentice?"
Héron insinuated that perhaps he had stolen them, at which Olivier simply shrugged his shoulders. Duplay endorsed Héron's opinion. In fact, he had not the slightest doubt about it. The young man had stolen them.
Olivier could bear it no longer.