I explained that from Paris to Varses and from Varses to Ussel we had collected this sum, sou by sou.
"But what were you doing in Varses?" he asked.
Then I was forced to tell him that I had been in a mine accident.
"Which of you two is Remi?" he asked, in a softened voice.
"I am, sir," I replied.
"To prove that, you tell me how the catastrophe occurred. I read the whole account of it in the papers. You cannot deceive me. I can tell if you really are Remi. Now, be careful."
I could see that he was feeling very lenient towards us. I told him my experience in the mine, and when I had finished my story, I thought from his manner, which was almost affectionate, that he would give us our freedom at once, but instead he went out of the room, leaving me alone, a prey to my thoughts. After some time he returned with Mattia.
"I am going to have your story investigated at Ussel," he said. "If it is true, as I hope it is, you will be free to-morrow."
"And our cow?" asked Mattia anxiously.