"You are going to hear," said the judge quietly.
"Your honour," said Mr. Fogg, "I am a British citizen, and I have the right—"
"Have you not been properly treated?" asked the judge,
"Oh yes, but—"
"Very well, then. Call the plaintiffs."
As the judge spoke the door opened, and three Hindoo priests were introduced by an usher.
"It is that, after all," muttered Passe-partout. "Those are the fellows that wanted to burn our young lady."
The priests stood erect before the judge, and the clerk read aloud the complaint of sacrilege against Phileas Fogg and his servant, who were accused of having defiled a place consecrated to the Brahmin religion.
"You hear the charge," said the judge to Phileas Fogg.
"Yes, your honour," replied the accused, looking at his watch, "and I confess it."