“Cocoleu!”

“Exactly, Cocoleu.  Whether he be actor, confident, or eye-witness, Cocoleu has evidently the key to this mystery.  This key we must make every effort to obtain from him.  Medical experts have just declared him idiotic; nevertheless, we protest.  We claim that the imbecility of this wretch is partly assumed.  We maintain that his obstinate silence is a vile imposture.  What! he should have intelligence enough to testify against us, and yet not have left enough of it now to explain, or even to repeat his evidence?  That is inadmissible.  We maintain that he keeps silent now just as he spoke that night,—­by order.  If his silence was less profitable for the prosecution, they would soon find means to break it.  We demand that such means should be employed.  We demand that the person who has before been able to loosen his tongue should be sent for, and ordered to try the experiment over again.  We call for a new examination by experts:  we cannot judge all of a sudden, and in forty-eight hours, what is the true mental condition of a man, especially when that man is suspected of being an impostor.  And we require, above all, that these new experts should be qualified by knowledge and experience.”

Dr. Seignebos was quivering with excitement.  He heard all his own ideas repeated in a concise, energetic manner.

“Yes,” he cried, “that is the way to do it!  Let me have full power, and in less than a fortnight Cocoleu is unmasked.”

Less expansive, the eminent advocate of Sauveterre simply shook hands with M. Folgat, and said,—­

“You see, M. de Boiscoran’s case ought to be put in your hands.”

The young lawyer made no effort to protest.  When he began to speak, his determination was already formed.

“Whatever can humanly be done,” he replied, “I will do.  If I accept the task, I shall devote myself body and soul to it.  But I insist upon it, it is understood, and must be publicly announced, that M. Magloire does not withdraw from the case, and that I act only as his junior.”

“Agreed,” said the old advocate.

“Well.  When shall we go and see M. de Boiscoran?”

“To-morrow morning.”

“I can, of course, take no steps till I have seen him.”

“Yes, but you cannot be admitted, except by a special permission from M. Galpin; and I doubt if we can procure that to-day.”

“That is provoking.”

“No, since we have our work all cut out for to-day.  We have to go over all the papers of the proceedings, which the magistrate has placed in my hands.”

Dr. Seignebos was boiling over with impatience.  He broke in,—­

“Oh, what words!  Go to work, Mr. Advocate, to work, I say.  Come, shall we go?”

They were leaving the room when M. de Chandore called them back by a gesture.  He said,—­

“So far, gentlemen, we have thought of Jacques alone.  And Dionysia?”

The others looked at him, full of surprise.