“Ah,” he said with a gesture of deprecation, “I can hardly understand that myself.  Perhaps M’sieu’ has the papers?  Ah, yes, I see they are on his desk.  M’sieu’ will observe that I am accused of the crime of—­what is it called in English?  Ah, yes, perjury, but I assure M’sieu’ that it is entirely a mistake.”

I picked up the indictment and found that the Grand Jury of the County of New York accused one Charles de Nevers of the crime of perjury committed as follows: 

That one William Douglas having been arrested by William W. Crawford, a member of the Police force of the City of New York, upon the charge of having violated the motor vehicle law of the State of New York [ordinance against speeding] he, the said Charles de Nevers, had then and there offered himself to go bail for the said Douglas, and did sign a certain written undertaking called a bond for the appearance of the said Douglas before the Magistrate, wherein he swore that he owned a certain house and lot situate at 122 West 117th Street, in the County of New York, which was free and clear of all incumbrances and of the value of not less than twenty thousand dollars,

Whereas in truth and in fact he the said Charles de Nevers did not own the said house and lot which did not then and there stand in the name of him the said Charles de Nevers, but was the property of one Helen M. Bent, and so recorded in the Registry of Deeds.

Which, said the grand jury, Charles de Nevers then and there well knew.  And so they accused him of feloniously, knowingly, wilfully, corruptly, and falsely committing the crime of perjury against the form of the statute in such cases made and provided, and against the peace of the People of the State of New York and their dignity.

And this they did over the signature of William Travers Jerome, District Attorney.

“How did this happen?” I inquired, hardly believing my senses.  “Was it a fact that you made this false statement to the Police for the purpose of securing bail for Mr. Douglas?”

De Nevers leaned forward and was about to answer when a messenger entered the room and stated that I was wanted in the court.

“Another time, if M’sieu’ will permit me,” said he.  “I have much to thank you for.  If M’sieu’ will give me another hearing it shall be my pleasure to explain fully.”

I rose and summoned the keeper.  De Nevers bowed and offered his hand, which I took.

“I have much to thank you for!” he repeated.

As I hurried out of the room I encountered the keeper outside the door.

“Say, Counsellor, what sort of a ‘con’ was he throwin’ into you?” he inquired with a wink.

De Nevers was well inside my office, looking drearily out of my window towards the courtyard in the Tombs where his fellows were still pursuing their weary march.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Why, who did his nibs tell you he was?”