"That is very strange," said the Marquis, thoughtfully.
"At all events, I wounded him," Pierre replied.
At this moment there was a sound just outside the door. The Marquis threw it open quickly, but there was nothing to be seen.
"I was sure I heard—"
"This old, worm-eaten wood makes strange noises when the dampness gets into it," said Pierre.
The Marquis read the papers carefully which Pierre now gave him.
"But there were two children at the time?" he said to Pierre. "Where is the certificate of the birth of Jacques?"
Pierre hesitated. "When Simon and Françoise were married," he answered, reluctantly, "Jacques was already born."
"And now," said the Marquis, "I must make some change in my will. My poor boy, in these papers, does not give his real name, nor the place of his birth, but we will soon remedy that."
"But why do you talk of your will! You must see your son, master, and then you can make all things right."