"What! What! But you were not two hundred yards away...."
"I was nowhere near. I left my father at the Carrefour du Grand-Chêne and I neither saw nor heard what happened after we had parted."
"Then why did you state the contrary, monsieur?"
"I repeat, monsieur le ministre, when my father returned, I at once understood the importance of the first words which we should speak in the presence of the examining-magistrate. I thought that, by supporting my father's story, I should be helping to prevent trouble. To-day, in the face of the inexorable facts, I am reverting to the pure and simple truth."
His replies were clear and unhesitating. There was no doubt that he was following a line of conduct which he had marked out in advance and from which nothing would make him swerve.
Morestal and Jorancé listened to him in dismay.
Marthe sat silent and motionless, with her eyes glued to her husband's.
Le Corbier concluded:
"You mean to say that you will not accept your share of the responsibility?"