“What proof have you?” said the Seigneur. Charley waved a deprecating hand towards Jo.
“I shall not call Portugais as evidence,” he said.
“You are conducting your own case?” asked the Seigneur, with a grim smile.
“It is dangerous, I believe.”
“I will take my chances,” answered Charley. “Will you tell me what object the criminal could have in stealing the gold vessels from the cathedral?” he added, turning to the Abbe.
“They were gold!”
“And for taking the cross from the door of the church in Chaudiere?”
“It was sacred, and he was an infidel, and hated it.”
“I do not see the logic of the argument. He stole the vessels because they were valuable, and the iron cross because he was an infidel! Now how do you know that the suspected criminal was an infidel, Monsieur?”
“It is well known.”