45. “All the same it’s the truth of the good God, the holy truth, m’sieu le maire. There! Upon my soul and my salvation, I say it again.”
46. The mayor replied:
Circumstantial evidence. The miser’s character helps condemn him unjustly.
47. “After having picked the thing up, you even hunted a long time in the mud to see if some piece of money had not fallen out.”
48. The good man choked with indignation and fear.
49. “How can anyone tell—how can anyone tell—lies like that to misrepresent an honest man! How can anyone tell—”
50. However he might protest, no one believed him.
51. He was confronted with Monsieur Malandin, who repeated and sustained his affirmation. They railed at each other for a whole hour. At his own request, Master Hauchecorne was searched. They found nothing upon him.
Suspense.
52. At last, the mayor, greatly perplexed, sent him away, with the warning that he would advise the public prosecutor, and ask for orders.