“Drown Boiscoran! Let us drown the incendiary!”
The attorney rose, and told the gendarme,—
“Go down and tell these people that the authorities are this moment examining the accused; that they interrupt us; and that, if they keep on, they will have to do with me.”
The gendarme obeyed his orders. M. de Boiscoran had turned deadly pale. He said to himself,—
“These unfortunate people believe my guilt!”
“Yes,” said M. Galpin, who had overheard the words; “and you would comprehend their rage, for which there is good reason, if you knew all that has happened.”
“What else?”
“Two Sauveterre firemen, one the father of five children, have perished in the flames. Two other men, a farmer from Brechy, and a gendarme who tried to rescue them, have been so seriously burned that their lives are in danger.”
M. de Boiscoran said nothing.
“And it is you,” continued the magistrate, “who is charged with all these calamities. You see how important it is for you to exculpate yourself.”