"Yes, M. the President."
"Well? You may speak."
Victor did not lose any time. It had taken his dull mind some fifteen or twenty minutes to connect cause and effect, and he was ready. He turned and pointed along the front of the benches to the spot where the partners in confidential missions were seated.
"Those two over there came to the hotel and asked for M. Laroque before the boat came in," he said. "They came back and saw him after he arrived, and I took them up to his room. They went out with M. Laroque and stayed a long time. He came back about fifteen or twenty minutes before the murder was committed."
The judges and court officers gazed sharply at the two men, who were trying to conceal themselves behind the other spectators.
"This is important!" muttered the President "Have you anything else to say?"
"No, monsieur," replied Victor, resuming his seat.
"Usher, bring those two men to the bar!" commanded the President. "I have discretionary powers to question them as witnesses, although they have not previously been summoned—and I will use it."
The "confidential agents" looked nervously around the room as if seeking some way of escape as the usher advanced on them.
"For pity's sake, be careful!" whispered Perissard, anxiously. "Keep your mouth shut and leave it to me!"