“Ah,” he said, “monsieur comes to see me about M. Bertomy’s case?”
“Precisely.”
M. Patrigent remained standing by the sick-bed while Sigault arranged his papers on a little table.
In answer to the usual questions, the messenger swore that he was named Antonin Poche, was forty years old, born at Cadaujac (Gironde), and was unmarried.
“Now,” said the judge, “are you well enough to clearly answer any questions I may put?”
“Certainly, monsieur.”
“Did you, on the 27th of February, go to the Bank of France for the three hundred and fifty thousand francs that were stolen?”
“Yes, monsieur.”
“At what hour did you return with the money?”
“It must have been five o’clock when I got back.”