“That man who had escaped from jail?”
“Yes. We were about to carry him back there, when he told us that he had a secret to reveal, a very important, urgent secret, concerning the condemned prisoner, Boiscoran.”
“Trumence?”
“Yes. Then we carried him to the court-house, and I came for orders.”
“Run and say that I am coming to see him!” cried M. Daubigeon. “Make haste! I am coming after you.”
But the gendarme, a model of obedience, had not waited so long: he was already down stairs.
“I must leave you, Galpin,” said M. Daubigeon, very much excited. “You heard what the man said. We must know what that means at once.”
But the magistrate was not less excited.
“You permit me to accompany you, I hope?” he asked.
He had a right to do so.