Scene I:—The recorder, then the doorkeeper, then Mouzon. When the curtain rises the recorder, seated in the magistrate's armchair, is drinking his coffee. The doorkeeper enters.
Recorder. Ah! Here's our friend the doorkeeper of the courthouse! Well, what's the news?
Doorkeeper. Here's your boss.
Recorder. Already!
Doorkeeper. He got back from Bordeaux last night. Fagged out he looked.
Recorder [loftily] A Mauleon magistrate is always fatigued when he returns from Bordeaux!
Doorkeeper. Why?
Recorder [after a pause] I do not know.
Doorkeeper. It's the Irissary murder that has brought him here so early.
Recorder. Probably. [While speaking he arranges his cup, saucer, sugar basin, etc., in a drawer. He then goes to his own place, the desk at the back. Mouzon enters. The doorkeeper pretends to have completed some errand and leaves the room. The recorder rises, with a low bow] Good-morning, your worship.