He had guessed as much: none the less he thought it time to interfere, lest his tool be put too much out of countenance.

"Gently, young man," he said, "or perhaps you may go too far.

I know you." "He is a liar!" Blondel repeated.
"Probably," Basterga said, "but it matters not.

It is enough that our business here lies not with him, but with this young woman.

You seem to have taken her under your protection," he continued, addressing Claude, "and may choose, if you please, whether you will see her haled through the streets, or will suffer her to answer our questions here.