'You knew about this treasure ?' 'He helped to bring it home,' interposed the Doctor.
'Desprez, I ask you nothing but to hold your tongue,' returned Casimir.
'I mean to question this stable-boy of yours; and if you are so certain of his innocence, you can afford to let him answer for himself.

Now, sir,' he resumed, pointing his eyeglass straight at Jean-Marie.

'You knew it could be stolen with impunity?
You knew you could not be prosecuted?
Come! Did you, or did you not ?' 'I did,' answered Jean-Marie, in a miserable whisper.

He sat there changing colour like a revolving pharos, twisting his fingers hysterically, swallowing air, the picture of guilt.
'You knew where it was put ?' resumed the inquisitor.
'Yes,' from Jean-Marie.
'You say you have been a thief before,' continued Casimir.

'Now how am I to know that you are not one still?
I suppose you could climb the green gate ?' 'Yes,' still lower, from the culprit.
'Well, then, it was you who stole these things.