After a little he began to question the brigadier, and to put down his answers in writing. The brigadier told his story at length, and with many big words, being evidently anxious to make as much of it as possible.
When he had at last finished, the magistrate turned his fierce eyes upon the children, and scrutinized them sharply:
"But where are their parents?" he demanded sternly.
"The little vagabonds insist upon it that they have none," replied the gendarme.
"That they have none!" exclaimed the magistrate. "Are they traveling about alone?"
"The young rascals pretend that they have lost their father and mother," continued the brigadier.
The magistrate gave the children a piercing glance. He evidently was not disposed to credit their ability to take care of themselves.
"Come here, young girl!" he commanded Nadine, and when she had stepped up to his desk he went on: "And so you declare that somebody has taken away your sister at the Beaulieu fair?"
"Yes, sir," Nadine replied.
"And what is your sister's age?" he inquired.