"Well, why was it that you killed Pierre Dargental, on the 9th of April last?"
"Because he refused to surrender to me some letters which he intended to use against a woman."
"But why did you interest yourself in her behalf?"
"I was in love with her. She is a married woman, and Dargental threatened to denounce her to her husband, who would have killed her, had he seen those proofs of her infatuation."
"So you became a murderer through love and devotion?" said M. Robergeot, ironically. "We will see by-and-by how the jury appreciate these extenuating circumstances. In the meantime, if you wish me to believe you, you must give me the name of this woman who was, of course, your accomplice."
"No, sir; I acted entirely without her knowledge or consent. She is absolutely ignorant of what I have done."
"Then you refuse to give me her name?"
"Is it likely that I have risked my life, and surrender it to you, in view of betraying the woman I have sworn to save? Take my life; it is yours; but I shall carry my secret with me to the grave."
George's face brightened, and Puymirol could not help showing his admiration for this heroism on the part of the man he had so bitterly anathematized. "You fancy that this secret will die with you," replied the magistrate; "but I think I shall succeed in discovering it. I believe I am already on the track." And then, gazing searchingly at the stranger, M. Robergeot said:
"We will return to this subject presently. You must now give me the particulars of the murder."