If the tall clerk had used his eyes, he would have noticed the singular spectacle of an investigating magistrate more agitated than the prisoner he was about to examine.

But he was blind to all around him; and, at this moment, he was only aware of an error of fifteen centimes, which had slipped into his accounts, and which he was unable to rectify.
Albert entered the magistrate's office with his head erect.

His features bore traces of great fatigue and of sleepless nights.

He was very pale; but his eyes were clear and sparkling.
The usual questions which open such examinations gave M.Daburon an opportunity to recover himself.

Fortunately, he had found time in the morning to prepare a plan, which he had now simply to follow.
"You are aware, sir," he commenced in a tone of perfect politeness, "that you have no right to the name you bear ?" "I know, sir," replied Albert, "that I am the natural son of M.de Commarin.