Once again, M. Filleul and the inspector exchanged glances. Ganimard tossed his head in a disconcerted way. The magistrate said:
“Monsieur le Comte, am I to believe that this version is correct?”
M. de Gesvres made no answer.
“Come, Monsieur le Comte, your silence would allow us to suppose—I beg you to speak.”
Replying in a very clear voice, M. de Gesvres said:
“The version is correct in every particular.”
The magistrate gave a start.
“Then I cannot understand why you misled the police. Why conceal an act which you were lawfully entitled to commit in defense of your life?”
“For twenty years,” said M. de Gesvres, “Daval worked by my side. I trusted him. If he betrayed me, as the result of some temptation or other, I was, at least, unwilling, for the sake of the past, that his treachery should become known.”
“You were unwilling, I agree, but you had no right to be.”