All three men had heard prisoners declare their innocence many times before, therefore they merely nodded assent—it was their usual habit.
"There is, of course, some charge," remarked Pierrepont. "But no doubt monsieur has a perfect answer to it."
"When I know what it is," replied Paul between his teeth, "then I shall meet it bravely, and demand compensation for this outrageous arrest!"
He held his breath, for, with a sinking heart, he realised for the first time the very fact of a serious allegation being made against him by some enemy. If mud is thrown some of it always sticks. What had all his enthusiasm in life profited him? Nothing. He bit his lip when he reflected.
"You have some idea of what is alleged against me, messieurs," the unhappy man exclaimed presently, as the roaring train emerged from a long tunnel. "I see it in your faces. Indeed, you would not have taken the precaution, which you did at the moment of my arrest, of searching me to find firearms. You suspected that I might make an attempt to take my life."
"Merely our habit," replied Pierrepont with a slight smile.
"The charge is a grave one—will you not admit that?"
"Probably it is—or we should not all three have been sent to bring you to Paris," remarked one of the trio.
"You have had access to my dossier—I feel sure you have, monsieur," Paul said, addressing Pierrepont.
"Ah! you are in error. Monsieur le Ministre does not afford me that privilege. I am but the servant of the Sûreté, and no one regrets more than myself the painful duty I have been compelled to perform to-night. I assure you, Monsieur Le Pontois, that I entertain much regret that I have been compelled to drag you away from your home and family thus, to Paris."
