s innocent, and yet he was the only one
among the accused whom a regular tribunal could have legally condemned.

Maurice and the abbe were prostrated with grief; but Chanlouineau, who
turned toward them, had still upon his lips a smile of confidence.

How could he hope when all hope seemed absolutely lost?

But the commissioners made no attempt to conceal their satisfaction. M.
de Sairmeuse, especially, evinced an indecent joy.

"Ah, well! Messieurs?" he said to the lawyers, in a sneering tone.

The counsel for the defence poorly dissimulated their discouragement;
but they nevertheless endeavored to question the validity of such a
declaration on the part of their client. He had said that he _suspected_
the conspiracy, not that he _knew_ it. It was quite a different thing.

"Say at once that you wish still more overwhelming evidence,"
interrupted the duke. "Very well! You shall have it. Continue your
deposition, witness."

"The accused," continued Chupin, "was present at all the conferences
held at Lacheneur's house. The proof of this is as clear as daylight.
Being obliged to cross the Oiselle to reach the Reche, and fearing the
ferryman would notice his frequent nocturnal voyages, the baron had an
old boat repaired which he had not used for years."

"Ah! that is a remarkable circumstance, prisoner; do you recollect
having your boat repaired?"

"Yes; but not for the purpose which this man mentions."

"For what purpose, then?"

The baron made no response. Was it not in compliance with the request of
Maurice that the boat had been put in order?

"And finally," continued Chupin, "when Lacheneur set fire to his house
to give the signal for the insurrection, the prisoner was with him."

"That," exclaimed the duke, "is conclusive evidence."

"I was, indeed, at the Reche," interrupted the baron; "but it was, as
I have already told you, with the firm determination of preventing this
outbreak."

M. de Sairmeuse gave utterance to a little disdainful laugh.

"Ah, gentlemen!" he said, addressing the commissioners, "can you not
see that the prisoner's courage does not equal his depravity? But I will
confound him. What did you do, prisoner, when the insurgents left the
Reche?"

"I returned to my home with all possible haste, took a horse and
repaired to the Croix d'Arcy."

"Then you knew that this was the spot appointed for the general
rendezvous?"

"Lacheneur had just informed me."

"If I believed your story,