"My evidence is not evidence in the proper sense of the word.... As for the soldier, I could hardly make out ..."
"We've got them, I tell you. The little that you were able to see, the little that you were able to hear all agrees with my own evidence, that is to say, with the truth. We've got them! And here come the gentlemen from the public prosecutor's office, who will be of my opinion, I bet you what you like! And it won't take long either! Jorancé will be free to-morrow."
He dropped the pen, which he had taken up in order to write his report himself, and went quickly to the window, attracted by the sound of a motor-car sweeping round the garden-lawn:
"The sub-prefect," he said. "By Jove, so the government know about it! The examining-magistrate and the prosecutor.... Ha, ha, they are not wasting any time, I see!... Quick, mother, have them shown in here.... I'll be back in a minute: I must just put on a collar and change my jacket...."
"Father!"
Morestal stopped in the doorway:
"What is it, my boy?" he asked.
"I have something to say to you," said Philippe, resolutely.
"All right. But it'll keep until presently, won't it?"