ust beyond the fortifications."

A prisoner's examination always begins with these questions as to
individuality, which gives both the magistrate and the culprit time
to study each other, to try, as it were, each other's strength, before
joining in a serious struggle; just as two duelists, about to engage in
mortal combat, first try a few passes with the foils.

"Now," resumed M. Segmuller, "we will note your antecedents. Have you
not already been found guilty of several offenses?"

The Widow Chupin was too well versed in criminal procedure to be
ignorant of those famous records which render the denial of identity
such a difficult matter in France. "I have been unfortunate, my good
judge," she whined.

"Yes, several times. First of all, you were arrested on a charge of
receiving stolen goods."

"But it was proved that I was innocent, that my character was whiter
than snow. My poor, dear husband had been deceived by his comrades; that
was all."

"Possibly. But while your husband was undergoing his sentence, you were
condemned, first to one month's and then to three months' imprisonment
for stealing."

"Oh, I had some enemies who did their best to ruin me."

"Next you were imprisoned for having led some young girls astray."

"They were good-for-nothing hussies, my kind sir, heartless,
unprincipled creatures. I did them many favors, and then they went and
related a batch of falsehoods to ruin me. I have always been too kind
and considerate toward others."

The list of the woman's offenses was not exhausted, but M. Segmuller
thought it useless to continue. "Such is your past," he resumed. "At the
present time your wine-shop is the resort of rogues and criminals.
Your son is undergoing his fourth term of imprisonment; and it has been
clearly proved that you abetted and assisted him in his evil deeds. Your
daughter-in-law, by some miracle, has remained honest and industrious,
hence you have tormented and abused her to such an extent that the
authorities have been obliged to interfere. When she left your house you
tried to keep her child--no doubt meaning to bring it up after the same
fashion as its father."

"This," thought the Widow Chupin, "is the right moment to try and
soften the magistrate's heart." Accordingly, she drew one of her
new handkerchiefs from her pocket, and, by dint of rubbing her eyes,
endeavored to extract a tear. "Oh, unhappy me," she groaned. "How can
any one imagine that I would harm my gr