He was urged to explain his allusions, but in vain.

When he was asked where and how he had passed the night, he
answered, that having left the cabaret at ten o'clock, he went to
put down some traps in Mauprevoir wood; and had gone home and to
bed about one o'clock.

"By the bye," added he, "there ought to be some game in those
traps by this time."

"Can you bring a witness to prove that you went home at one?"
asked the mayor, who bethought him of the count's clock, stopped
at twenty minutes past three.

"Don't know, I'm sure," carelessly responded the poacher, "it's
quite likely that my son didn't wake up when I went to bed."

He added, seeing the judge reflect:

"I suspect that you are going to imprison me until the murderers
are discovered. If it was winter, I wouldn't complain much; a
fellow is well off in prison then, for it's warm there. But just
at the time for hunting, it's provoking. It will be a good lesson
for that Philippe; it'll teach him what it costs to render a service
to gentlefolks."

"Enough!" interrupted M. Domini, sternly. "Do you know Guespin?"

This name suddenly subdued the careless insolence of the marauder;
his little gray eyes experienced a singular restlessness.