The truth, as all the world knows, and delights in proclaiming, has an accent which no one can mistake.  M. Daburon had not the slightest doubt of his witness’s good faith.  Noel continued with the ingenuous candour of an honest heart which suspicion has never touched with its bat’s wing:  “The idea of treating at once with my father pleased me exceedingly.  I thought it so much better to wash all one’s dirty linen at home, I had never desired anything but an amicable arrangement.  With my hands full of proofs, I should still recoil from a public trial.”

“Would you not have brought an action?”

“Never, sir, not at any price.  Could I,” he added proudly, “to regain my rightful name, begin by dishonouring it?”

This time M. Daburon could not conceal his sincere admiration.

“A most praiseworthy feeling, sir,” he said.

“I think,” replied Noel, “that it is but natural.  If things came to the worst, I had determined to leave my title with Albert.  No doubt the name of Commarin is an illustrious one; but I hope that, in ten years time, mine will be more known.  I would, however, have demanded a large pecuniary compensation.  I possess nothing:  and I have often been hampered in my career by the want of money.  That which Madame Gerdy owed to the generosity of my father was almost entirely spent.  My education had absorbed a great part of it; and it was long before my profession covered my expenses.  Madame Gerdy and I live very quietly; but, unfortunately, though simple in her tastes, she lacks economy and system; and no one can imagine how great our expenses have been.  But I have nothing to reproach myself with, whatever happens.  At the commencement, I could not keep my anger well under control; but now I bear no ill-will.  On learning of the death of my nurse, though, I cast all my hopes into the sea.”

“You were wrong, my dear sir,” said the magistrate.  “I advise you to still hope.  Perhaps, before the end of the day, you will enter into possession of your rights.  Justice, I will not conceal from you, thinks she has found Widow Lerouge’s assassin.  At this moment, Viscount Albert is doubtless under arrest.”

“What!” exclaimed Noel, with a sort of stupor:  “I was not, then, mistaken, sir, in the meaning of your words.  I dreaded to understand them.”

“You have not mistaken me, sir,” said M. Daburon.  “I thank you for your sincere straightforward explanations; they have eased my task materially.  To-morrow,—­for today my time is all taken up,—­we will write down your deposition together if you like.  I have nothing more to say, I believe, except to ask you for the letters in your possession, and which are indispensable to me.”

“Within an hour, sir, you shall have them,” replied Noel.  And he retired, after having warmly expressed his gratitude to the investigating magistrate.

Had he been less preoccupied, the advocate might have perceived at the end of the gallery old Tabaret, who had just arrived, eager and happy, like a bearer of great news as he was.