no second examination, was never brought to trial, and, above all, was condemned without ever having had sentence passed on me?”
“That is altogether a different and more serious matter,” responded the abbé. “The ways of justice are frequently too dark and mysterious to be easily penetrated. All we have hitherto done in the matter has been child’s play. If you wish me to enter upon the more difficult part of the business, you must assist me by the most minute information on every point.”
“Pray ask me whatever questions you please; for, in good truth, you see more clearly into my life than I do myself.”
“In the first place, then, who examined you—the king’s attorney, his deputy, or a magistrate?”
“The deputy.”
“Was he young or old?”
“About six or seven-and-twenty years of age, I should say.”
“So,” answered the abbé. “Old enough to be ambitious, but too young to be corrupt. And how did he treat you?”
“With more of mildness than severity.”
“Did you tell him your whole story?”
“I did.”
“And did his conduct change at all in the course of your examination?”
“He did appear much disturbed when he read the letter that had brought me into this scrape. He seemed quite overcome by my misfortune.”