For another minute yet, the miserable man hesitated. Then, seeing no other chance of safety, except the mercy of the judges, he fell heavily on his knees, and stammered out,—
“I am a wretched man.”
At the same instant a cry of astonishment burst from the doctor, from Daniel, and the worthy Lefloch. But the man of law was not surprised. He knew in advance that the first victory would be easily won, and that the real difficulty would be to induce the prisoner to confess the name of his principal. Without giving him, therefore time to recover, he said,—
“Now, what reasons had you for persecuting M. Champcey in this way?”
The accused rose again; and, making an effort, he said slowly,—
“I hated him. Once during the voyage he had threatened to have me put in irons.”
“The man lies!” said Daniel.
“Do you hear?” asked the lawyer. “So you will not tell the truth? Well, I will tell it for you. They had hired you to kill Lieut. Champcey, and you wanted to earn your money. You got a certain sum of money in advance; and you were to receive a larger sum after his death.”
“I swear”—
“Don’t swear! The sum in your possession, which you cannot account for, is positive proof of what I say.”