“I believe, on the contrary, madam, that the investigation will be very soon concluded.”
“But if Jacques keeps silent?”
“Neither the silence of an accused, nor any other caprice or obstinacy of his, can interfere with the regular process. Called upon to produce his justification, if he refuses to do so, the law proceeds without him.”
“Still, sir, if an accused person has reasons”—
“There are no reasons which can force a man to let himself be accused unjustly. But even that case has been foreseen. The accused is at liberty not to answer a question which may inculpate him. Nemo tenetur prodere se ipsum. But you must admit that such a refusal to answer justifies a judge in believing that the charges are true which the accused does not refute.”
The great calmness of the distinguished lawyer of Sauveterre terrified his listeners more and more, except M. Folgat. When they heard him use all those technical terms, they felt chilled through and through like the friends of a wounded man who hear the grating noise of the surgeon’s knife.
“My son’s situation appears to you very serious, sir?” asked the marchioness in a feeble voice.
“I said it was dangerous, madam.”
“You think, as M. Folgat does, that every day adds to the danger to which he is exposed?”
“I am but too sure of that. And if M. de Boiscoran is really innocent”—