Why?
Had this subtle villain something better than that?
What artful defence had he to fall back upon?
Doubtless he kept in reserve some unforeseen stroke, perhaps irresistible.
"Gently," thought the magistrate.

"I have not got him yet." Then he quickly added aloud: "Continue.

After dinner what did you do ?" "I went out for a walk." "Not immediately.

The bottle emptied, you smoked a cigar in the dining-room, which was so unusual as to be noticed.

What kind of cigars do you usually smoke ?" "Trabucos." "Do you not use a cigar-holder, to keep your lips from contact with the tobacco ?" "Yes, sir," replied Albert, much surprised at this series of questions.
"At what time did you go out ?" "About eight o'clock." "Did you carry an umbrella ?" "Yes." "Where did you go ?" "I walked about." "Alone, without any object, all the evening ?" "Yes, sir." "Now trace out your wanderings for me very carefully." "Ah, sir, that is very difficult to do! I went out simply to walk about, for the sake of exercise, to drive away the torpor which had depressed me for three days.