The professor made no reply. He looked at us all like a man being
led to execution, and then went back into the room.

Almost immediately after Monsieur Robert Darzac came out. He was
very pale. He looked at us and, his eyes falling on the railway
servant, his features stiffened and he could hardly repress a groan.

We were all much moved by the appearance of the man. We felt that
what was about to happen would decide the fate of Monsieur Robert
Darzac. Frederic Larsan's face alone was radiant, showing a joy
as of a dog that had at last got its prey.

Pointing to the railway servant, Monsieur de Marquet said to
Monsieur Darzac:

"Do you recognise this man, Monsieur?"

"I do," said Monsieur Darzac, in a tone which he vainly tried to
make firm. "He is an employe at the station at Epinay-sur-Orge."

"This young man," went on Monsieur de Marquet, "affirms that he saw
you get off the train at Epinay-sur-Orge--"

"That night," said Monsieur Darzac, interrupting, "at half-past ten
--it is quite true."

An interval of silence followed.

"Monsieur Darzac," the magistrate went on in a tone of deep emotion,
"Monsieur Darzac, what were you doing that night, at Epinay-sur-Orge