"'I am your friend; do not be afraid. No matter for the past. I say it is for the future that we live. Is it murder?'
"'Murder!'
"'We will say then it is not murder. Thank goodness, it is not that! But there are other things besides. Is it forgery?'
"'Forgery!'
"'Is it something you have stolen? Perhaps a little money, or some jewellery, or something of value from your friends.'
"'Baron d'Ardigny, during your acquaintance with me did I strike you as being of the material of which thieves are made?'
"'Ah, who shall say! No man can tell! There was one woman I loved before I was in love with you. She did not use me so bad as you; she was an angel! She was what you call shoplifter. One day I went to see her; she was not there. I did not see her for a long time. I thought that she was dead. One day I was in a prison; she was among the prisoners. When she saw me she laughed; she put out her tongue and winked her eye. The anguish is still here.'
"'Putting aside the question of what I have done, or left undone, perhaps you will tell me of what it is I am accused?'
"'How should I know?'
"'If you don't know, I don't know who should.'