"I take no bribes," he muttered.
"Lescaut's?"
"Not a denier."
"Liar!" I exclaimed. "Liar, who devour widows' houses and poor men's corn! Who grind the weak and say it is the King; and let the rich go free. Answer me, and answer the truth. How much do these men give you?"
"Nothing," he said defiantly.
"Very well," I answered; "then I will have the list. It is in your shoe."
"I have no list," he said, beginning to tremble.
"It is in your shoe," I repeated, pointing to his gouty foot. "Maignan, off with his shoe, and look in it."
Disregarding his shrieks of pain, they tore it off and looked in it. There was no list.
"Off with his stocking," I said roundly.