I am in truth Joam Dacosta! I am the honest man whom a legal error unjustly doomed to death twenty-five years ago in the place of the true culprit! That I am quite innocent I swear before Heaven, once for all, on your heads, my children, and on the head of your mother!" "All communication between you and yours is now forbidden," said the chief of the police.

"You are my prisoner, Joam Garral, and I will rigorously execute my warrant." Joam restrained by a gesture his dismayed children and servants.
"Let the justice of man be done while we wait for the justice of God!" And with his head unbent, he stepped into the pirogue.
It seemed, indeed, as though of all present Joam Garral was the only one whom this fearful thunderbolt, which had fallen so unexpectedly on his head, had failed to overwhelm..