“Prosecute!”
“What?”
“Can I do otherwise in my position? God is my witness that I tried my best, by urging this poor idiot, to prove the absurdity of his accusation. But the result has disappointed me.”
“And now?”
“Now I can no longer hesitate. There have been ten witnesses present at the examination. My honor is at stake. I must establish either the guilt or the innocence of the man whom Cocoleu accuses.” Immediately, walking up to the count’s bed, he asked,—
“Will you have the kindness, Count Claudieuse, to tell me what your relations are to M. de Boiscoran?”
Surprise and indignation caused the wounded man to blush deeply.
“Can it be possible, sir, that you believe the words of that idiot?”
“I believe nothing,” answered the magistrate. “My duty is to unravel the truth; and I mean to do it.”
“The doctor has told you what the state of Cocoleu’s mind is?”