Their interview was interrupted by an attendant coming to summon the lawyer, for whose argument the court was waiting.
“I’ll follow,” said Mr. Roquevillard, motioning him away.
“But he has been accused. How will he defend himself?” asked Mr. Vallerois. “You must realise that he has a bad case. Evidence accumulates against him. And even on the most favourable hypothesis he must accuse some one else to clear himself. Do you wish that? And he will pass always as having been an accomplice. At all events, if you know where he is, advise him to wait there before he re-enters France. I will deal lightly in the matter of the extradition.”
Mr. Roquevillard shook his head energetically.
“No, no. To run away is to confess. He must come back. I shall find proof of his innocence.”
And after a moment of reflection, during which he weighed the pros and cons, he added:
“Since our misfortune touches you, Mr. Prosecutor, give me leave to ask a service of you, a great service which may yet save us.”
“Which is?”
“Propose to Frasne that he withdraw his complaint in consideration of the full payment to him of one hundred thousand francs.”
“You would make restitution?”