"Why?" asked Francois, considerably surprised. "Is it because my little Marie is sick?"
"Plague take your little Marie! It is because you have helped the boy to escape."
"How could I help him, sir?"
"Some one must have unlocked the door of his room. Otherwise, he could not have got out."
"I don't know, monsieur," said Francois, assuming ignorance.
"When did you first see him?"
"I had walked about a quarter of a mile," said Francois, mendaciously, "when he ran up and overtook me. I told him to go back, but he would not. He followed me, and came here."
"This story is by no means ingenious," said the doctor, shaking his head. "When you stand up in a court of justice you will see how the lawyers will make you eat your words. And very likely they will send you to prison."
"Oh, no! Don't say that!" said poor Francois, much frightened. "What would become of my poor wife and child?"
"You should have thought of them before this."