THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.—­We only desire the truth.  It is easy to make an experiment.

WITNESS.—­Oh, certainly!

P.—­Let it be done.

Witness puts a cartridge into each barrel, and goes to the window to explode them.  The sudden explosion is followed by the screams of several ladies.

WITNESS.—­(Returning, and showing that the barrels are no more foul than they were before.) Well, you see I was right.

P.—­(To the accused.) You see this circumstance on which you relied so securely, so far from helping you, only proves that your explanation of the blackened state of your hands was a falsehood.

Upon the president’s order, witness is taken out, and the examination of the accused is continued.

P.—­What were your relations with Count Claudieuse?

A.—­We had no intercourse with each other.

P.—­But it was known all over the country that you hated him?

A.—­That is a mistake.  I declare, upon my honor, that I always looked upon him as the best and most honorable of men.

P.—­There, at least, you agree with all who knew him.  Still you are at law with him?

A.—­I have inherited that suit from my uncle, together with his fortune.  I carried it on, but very quietly.  I asked for nothing better than a compromise.

P.—­And, when Count Claudieuse refused, you were incensed?

A.—­No.

P.—­You were so irritated against him, that you once actually aimed your gun at him.  At another time you said, “He will not leave me alone till I put a ball into him.”  Do not deny!  You will hear what the witnesses say.

Thereupon, the accused resumes his place.  He looks as confident as ever, and carries his head high.  He has entirely overcome any feeling of discouragement, and converses with his counsel in the most composed manner.

There can be no doubt, that, at this stage of the proceedings, public opinion is on his side.  He has won the good-will even of those who came there strongly prejudiced.  No one can help being impressed by his proud but mournful expression of fate; and all are touched by the extreme simplicity of his answers.

Although the discussion about the gun has not turned out to his advantage, it does not seem to have injured him.  People are eagerly discussing the question of the fouling of guns.  A number of incredulous persons, whom the experiment has not convinced, maintain that M. Maucroy has been too rash in his statements.  Others express surprise at the reserve shown by counsel,—­less by that of M. Folgat, who is unknown here, than by that of M. Magloire, who usually allows no opportunity to escape, but is sure to profit by the smallest incident.

The proceedings are not exactly suspended; but there is a pause, whilst the ushers cover the articles on the table once more with red cloth, and, after several comings and goings, roll a large arm-chair in front of the judge’s seat.