This was done, when the oath was duly administered to the vice-governatore. Then came a few questions as to the station, country, etc., of the witness, after which more material matter was inquired into.
"Signor Vice-Governatore, do you know the prisoner by sight?" demanded the Judge Advocate.
"Sir, I have had the honor to receive him in my residence in the island of Elba."
"Under what name and circumstances was he known to you, Signore?"
"Eh--he called himself Sir Smees, a capitano in the service of the English king."
"What vessel did he pretend to command?"
"Ze Ving-y-Ving--a lugger, which I have since had reason to think is le Feu-Follet, a corsair under the French flag. Monsieur did me the favor to make two visits to Porto Ferrajo in the character of Sir Smees."
"And you know now that this is Raoul Yvard, the French privateersman you have mentioned?"
"Eh--know?--I know they say this is the Signor Yvard, and that ze Ving-y-Ving is le Feu-Follet."
"They say will not do, Signor Barrofaldi. Can you not
say this much of your own knowledge?"