The procureur's plan was simple enough.

By separating the wife from the husband, and bringing the terrors of the law to bear upon her, he expected to learn the truth.

Zelie found the official in his private office and was utterly annihilated when he addressed her as follows:-- "Madame," he said; "I do not believe you are an accomplice in a theft that has been committed upon the Minoret property, on the track of which the law is now proceeding.

But you can spare your husband the shame of appearing in the prisoner's dock by making a full confession of what you know about it.

The punishment which your husband has incurred is, moreover, not the only thing to be dreaded.