“Evidently Chanlouineau has some plan. He intends to save your father. How, I cannot understand.”
The judges were conversing in low tones with considerable animation.
A difficulty had presented itself.
The prisoners, ignorant of the charges which would be brought against them, and not expecting instant trial, had not thought of procuring a defender.
And this circumstance, bitter mockery! frightened this iniquitous tribunal, which did not fear to trample beneath its feet the most sacred rules of justice.
The judges had decided; their verdict was, as it were, rendered in advance, and yet they wished to hear a voice raised in defence of those who were already doomed.
It chanced that three lawyers, retained by the friends of several of the prisoners, were in the hall.
They were the three men that Maurice, on his entrance, had noticed conversing near the door of the chapel.
The duke was informed of this fact. He turned to them, and motioned them to approach; then, pointing to Chanlouineau:
“Will you undertake this culprit’s defence?” he demanded.