“Very well.  You hear, prisoner?”

But the man was already transformed.  British gravity and apathy were written upon his features; his gestures were stiff and constrained, and in the most ponderous tones he exclaimed:  “Walk up! ladies and gentlemen, walk up!  Long life to the queen and to the honorable mayor of this town!  No country, England excepted—­our glorious England!—­could produce such a marvel, such a paragon—­” For a minute or two longer he continued in the same strain.

M. Segmuller was leaning upon his desk, his face hidden by his hands.  Lecoq, standing in front of the prisoner, could not conceal his astonishment.  Goguet, the smiling clerk, alone found the scene amusing.

XI

The governor of the Depot, a functionary who had gained the reputation of an oracle by twenty years’ experience in prisons and with prisoners—­a man whom it was most difficult to deceive—­had advised the magistrate to surround himself with every precaution before examining the prisoner, May.

And yet this man, characterized as a most dangerous criminal, and the very announcement of whose coming had made the clerk turn pale, had proved to be a practical, harmless, and jovial philosopher, vain of his eloquence, a bohemian whose existence depended upon his ability to turn a compliment; in short, a somewhat erratic genius.

This was certainly strange, but the seeming contradiction did not cause M. Segmuller to abandon the theory propounded by Lecoq.  On the contrary, he was more than ever convinced of its truth.  If he remained silent, with his elbows leaning on the desk, and his hands clasped over his eyes, it was only that he might gain time for reflection.

The prisoner’s attitude and manner were remarkable.  When his English harangue was finished, he remained standing in the centre of the room, a half-pleased, half-anxious expression on his face.  Still, he was as much at ease as if he had been on the platform outside some stroller’s booth, where, if one could believe his story, he had passed the greater part of his life.  It was in vain that the magistrate sought for some indication of weakness on his features, which in their mobility were more enigmatical than the lineaments of the Sphinx.

Thus far, M. Segmuller had been worsted in the encounter.  It is true, however, that he had not as yet ventured on any direct attack, nor had he made use of any of the weapons which Lecoq had forged for his use.  Still he was none the less annoyed at his defeat, as it was easy to see by the sharp manner in which he raised his head after a few moments’ silence.  “I see that you speak three European languages correctly,” said he.  “It is a rare talent.”

The prisoner bowed, and smiled complacently.  “Still that does not establish your identity,” continued the magistrate.  “Have you any acquaintances in Paris?  Can you indicate any respectable person who will vouch for the truth of this story?”