"My husband, monsieur," sobbed Marie, springing up and putting her hand in Jean's.
"How came he here?"
"Monsieur, he escaped and crawled here."
"And how has he been supported?"
"By me," said the wife simply.
Plon had recoiled during this explanation, and gazed helplessly from one to the other.
"Go on," said Leblanc, taking out a note-book.
"He has not been out of this room for three years—three years! That is a long time for a man to be shut up," pleaded Marie, with her heart in her eyes. "And, M. le Commissaire, you must understand it was all a mistake. He tried to stop them, but they dragged him along, the Communists, and then one of them turns round and denounces him. There are very wicked people in the world, M. le Commissaire."
"His name?"
Jean answered for her: