"
"Are you sure of this?"
"I can furnish proofs."
"Submit them to the consideration of the commission."
The old scoundrel began to gain more confidence.
"First," he replied, "it was to the house of Monsieur d'Escorval that
Lacheneur hastened after he had, much against his will, restored to
Monsieur le Duc the chateau of Monsieur le Duc's ancestors. Monsieur
Lacheneur met Chanlouineau there, and from that day dates the plot of
this insurrection."
"I was Lacheneur's friend," said the baron; "it was perfectly natural
that he should come to me for consolation after a great misfortune."
M. de Sairmeuse turned to his colleague.
"You hear that!" said he. "This d'Escorval calls the restitution of a
deposit a great misfortune! Go on, witness."
"In the second place," resumed Chupin, "the accused was always prowling
about Lacheneur's house."
"That is false," interrupted the baron. "I never visited the house but
once, and on that occasion I implored him to renounce."
He paused, comprehending only when it was too late, the terrible
significance of his words.
Pages:
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348