Francois shook his head with an incredulous smile.

"Guespin isn't the man to have savings," said he; "Women and cards
exhaust all his wages. No longer ago than last week, the keeper of
the Cafe du Commerce came here and made a row on account of what he
owed him, and threatened to go to the count about it."

Perceiving the effect of what he said, the valet, as if to correct
himself, hastened to add:

"I have no ill-will toward Guespin; before to-day I've always
considered him a clever fellow, though he was too much of a
practical joker; he was, perhaps, a little proud, considering his
bringing up--"

"You may go," said the judge, cutting the disquisition of M.
Francois short; the valet retired.

During this colloquy, Guespin had little by little come to himself.
The judge of instruction, Plantat, and the mayor narrowly watched
the play of his countenance, which he had not the coolness to
compose, while the doctor held his pulse and counted its beating.

"Remorse, and fear of punishment," muttered the mayor.

"Innocence, and the impossibility of proving it," responded Plantat
in a low tone.

M. Domini heard both these exclamations, but did not appear to take