"Have Couillard and Wolff spoken? Is the truth discovered yet?" I asked.
"Spoken!... They are doing nothing but speaking. People carry them about shoulder high; they are the heroes of the day. The newspapers are singing their praises!..."
I was dumbfounded: "What do you say!... It is impossible. Are they not in prison?"
"They were both set free yesterday...."
"Then they are going to release me too. You said I would be with Marthe in a week's time. They don't want me anymore, do they?... But now we shall never know the truth!... When can I go away from here?"
The two men looked at each other. They hesitated.... I could read in their faces that some terrible news was coming.
I could not wait.... "What is the matter? Speak, Maître Aubin." The poor man halted, and then at last said: "You must be brave.... You must remain here.... Oh! why did you put that pearl in your valet's pocket-book. You don't know the anger of the Public against you.... You would be torn to pieces if you walked through a street."
"How long shall I have to remain in prison? You said a week. Will it be two weeks? Three weeks?"...
"I don't know...."
"What! A whole month?"