"Indeed, I know it only too well!" cried Des Avenelles. "Therefore, after three days of mortal anguish, I could restrain myself no longer: I felt that such a secret was too heavy a burden for my responsibility, and I came to deposit it in your hands, Monsieur le Lieutenant de Police."
"That was the safest course to pursue," replied Monsieur de Braguelonne; "and although, as you see, your revelation is of no great service to us, still we will take your good intentions into consideration."
He talked for some moments in a low tone with De Mouchy, who seemed to be urging him, not without much resistance, to adopt a certain course of action.
"Before everything, I beg you, for mercy's sake," said Des Avenelles, imploringly, "not to betray my defection to my former—accomplices; for, alas! they who murdered President Minard might well do me an ill turn also."
"We will keep your secret," replied the lieutenant of police.
"But you propose to keep me a prisoner, do you not?" said Des Avenelles, with a very humbled and frightened air.
"No; you may return freely to your own house at any moment," replied De Braguelonne.
"Do you mean it?" said the advocate. "Ah! I see you propose to arrest my guests?"
"Not your guests, either. They will remain as free as yourself."
"How is that?" asked Des Avenelles, in amazement.