"I'm not obliged to say who I am, and you have no business to ask unless you can show that I have committed a crime, which you haven't done yet. Ask my fat friend in the corner if that isn't the law."
Maître Curé nodded gravely in response to this appeal. "The prisoner is correct," he said.
Here Coquenil whispered to the judge.
"Certainly," nodded the latter, and, turning to Alice, who sat wondering and trembling through this agitated scene, he said: "Thank you, mademoiselle, you may go."
The girl rose and, bowing gratefully and sweetly, left the room, followed by M. Paul.
"Groener, you say that we have not yet shown you guilty of any crime. Be patient and we will overcome that objection. Where were you about midnight on the night of the 4th of July?"
"I can't say offhand," answered the other.
"Try to remember."
"Why should I?"
"You refuse? Then I will stimulate your memory," and again he touched the bell.