“That,” exclaimed the duke, “is conclusive evidence.”
“Yes, I was at La Reche,” interrupted the baron; “but as I have already told you, it was with the firm determination of preventing this outbreak.”
M. de Sairmeuse laughed disdainfully. “Ah, gentlemen!” he said, addressing his fellow commissioners, “you see that the prisoner’s courage does not equal his depravity. But I will confound him. What did you do, prisoner, when the insurgents left La Reche?”
“I returned home with all possible speed, took a horse and hastened to the Croix-d’Arcy.”
“Then you knew that this was to be the general meeting place?”
“Lacheneur had just informed me of it.”
“Even if I believed your story,” retorted the duke, “I should have to remind you, that your duty was to have hastened to Montaignac and informed the authorities. But what you say is untrue. You did not leave Lacheneur, you accompanied him.”
“No, sir, no!”
“And what if I could prove that you did so, beyond all question?”
“Impossible, since such was not the case.”