"Have no fear, Mademoiselle," said Iron Jaws, "he is a ferocious beast, but he is chained!"
Irène beheld a man fastened to the wall with an iron chain. At first she did not recognize him.
"This individual," said Gudel, "is Cyprien, the man who does all the dirty work of his excellency the Marquis de Fongereues, going so far as to do a little poisoning on occasion."
"Undo my chain!" cried Cyprien.
"Not if I know it! But if you answer my questions, you shall have something to eat."
"I am hungry!" murmured the rascal.
"Pshaw! one meal each day will certainly prevent your being miserable. Now, why did you poison Fanfar?"
The fellow sighed.
"Tell me what interest you had in poisoning Fanfar."
"I don't know."