"That tallies with the landlord's statement," said the magistrate.
"I have something to relate," I said, upon our return to the court, "of my own movements last night after I quitted the inn."
I then gave the magistrate and Doctor Louis a circumstantial account of my movements, without, however, entering into a description of my thoughts, only in so far as they affected my determination to protect the doctor and his family from evil designs.
They listened with great interest, and Doctor Louis pressed my hand. He understood and approved of the solicitude I had experienced for the safety of his household; it was a guarantee that I would watch over his daughter with love and firmness and protect her from harm.
"But you ran a great risk, Gabriel," he said affectionately.
"I did not consider that," I said.
The magistrate looked on and smiled; a father himself, he divined the undivulged ties by which I and Doctor Louis were bound.
"At what time," he asked, "do you say you left the rogues asleep in the woods?"
"It was twenty minutes to eleven," I replied, "and at eleven o'clock I reached my house, and was received by Martin Hartog's daughter. Hartog was absent, on business his daughter said, and while we were talking, and I was taking the keys from her hands, Hartog came home, and accompanied me to my bedroom."
"Were you at all disturbed in your mind for the safety of your friends in consequence of what had passed?"