“An inquiry founded upon what?” he went on with such vehemence that no one dared interrupt him,—­“founded upon the evidence of an unfortunate creature, whom I, a physician, testify to be not responsible for what he says.  Reason does not go out and become lighted again, like the gas in a street-lamp.  A man is an idiot, or he is not an idiot.  He has always been one; and he always will be one.  But you say the other statements are conclusive.  Say, rather, that you think they are.  Why?  Because you are prejudiced by Cocoleu’s accusation.  But for it, you would never have troubled yourselves about what M. De Boiscoran did, or did not.  He walked about the whole evening.  He has a right to do so.  He crossed the marsh.  What hindered him?  He went through the woods.  Why should he not?  He is met with by people.  Is not that quite natural?  But no:  an idiot accuses him, and forthwith all he does looks suspicious.  He talks.  It is the insolence of a hardened criminal.  He is silent.  It is the remorse of a guilty man trembling with fear.  Instead of naming M. de Boiscoran, Cocoleu might just as well have named me, Dr. Seignebos.  At once, all my doings would have appeared suspicious; and I am quite sure a thousand evidences of my guilt would have been discovered.  It would have been an easy matter.  Are not my opinions more radical even than those of M. de Boiscoran?  For there is the key to the whole matter.  M. de Boiscoran is a Republican; M. de Boiscoran acknowledges no sovereignty but that of the people”—­

“Doctor,” broke in the commonwealth attorney,—­“doctor, you are not thinking of what you say.”

“I do think of it, I assure you”—­

But he was once more interrupted, and this time by Count Claudieuse, who said,—­

“For my part, I admit all the arguments brought up by the magistrate.  But, above all probabilities, I put a fact,—­the character of the accused.  M. de Boiscoran is a man of honor and an excellent man.  He is incapable of committing a mean and odious crime.”

The others assented.  M. Seneschal added,—­

“And I, I will tell you another thing.  What would have been the purpose of such a crime?  Ah, if M. de Boiscoran had nothing to lose!  But do you know among all your friends a happier man than he is?—­young, handsome, in excellent health, immensely wealthy, esteemed and popular with everybody.  Finally, there is another fact, which is a family secret, but which I may tell you, and which will remove at once all suspicions,—­M. de Boiscoran is desperately in love with Miss Dionysia de Chandore.  She returns his love; and the day before yesterday the wedding-day was fixed on the 20th of the next month.”

In the meantime the hours had sped on.  It was half-past three by the clock of the church in Brechy.  Day was breaking; and the light of the lamps was turning pale.  The morning mists began to disappear; and the sunlight fell upon the window-panes.  But no one noticed this:  all these men gathered around the bed of the wounded man were too deeply excited.  M. Galpin had listened to the objection made by the others, without a word or a gesture.  He had so far recovered his self-control, that it would have been difficult to see what impressions they made upon his mind.  At last, shaking his head gravely, he said,—­