"It's as I feared! I shall have to go."
"Not before this evening, my boy."
It was old Morestal, who had entered the room with an open letter in his hand.
"What's the matter, father?"
"We are specially summoned to appear before the Prefect of the Vosges in the town-hall at Saint-Élophe."
"I too?"
"You too. They want to verify certain points in your deposition."
"So they are beginning all over again?"
"Yes, it's a fresh enquiry. It appears that things are becoming complicated."
"What are you saying?"