must know who
you are--and I do know--"

"Ah!--if the assertion costs me my life--I'm May and none other."

"No, you are not."

"Who am I then? Some great man in disguise? Ah! I wish I were! In that
case, I should have satisfactory papers to show you; and then you would
set me free, for you know very well, my good sir, that I am as innocent
as you are."

The magistrate had left his desk, and taken a seat by the fireplace
within a yard of the prisoner. "Do not insist," said he. Then, suddenly
changing both manner and tone, he added with the urbanity that a man of
the world displays when addressing an equal:

"Do me the honor, sir, to believe me gifted with sufficient perspicuity
to recognize, under the difficult part you play to such perfection, a
very superior gentleman--a man endowed with remarkable talents."

Lecoq perceived that this sudden change of manner had unnerved the
prisoner. He tried to laugh, but his merriment partook somewhat of the
nature of a sob, and big tears glistened in his eyes.

"I will not torture you any longer," continued the magistrate. "In
subtle reasoning I confess that you have conquered me. However, when
I return to the charge I shall have proofs enough in my possession to
crush you."

He reflected for a moment, then lingering over each word, he added:
"Only do not then expect from me the consideration I have shown you
to-day. Justice is human; that is, she is indulgent toward certain
crimes. She has fathomed the depth of the abyss into which blind passion
may hurl even an honest man. To-day I freely offer you any assistance
that will not conflict with my duty. Speak, shall I send this officer of
police away? Would you like me to send my clerk out of the room, on
an errand?" He said no more, but waited to see the effect of this last
effort.

The prisoner darted upon him one of those searching glances that seem
to pierce an adversary through. His lips moved; one might have supposed
that he was about to make a revelation. But no; suddenly he crossed
his arms over his chest, and murmured: "You are very frank, sir.
Unfortunately for me, I'm only a poor devil, as I've already told you.
My name is May, and I earn my living by speaking to the public and
turning a compliment."

"I am forced to yield to your decision," said the magistrate sadly. "The
clerk will now read the minutes of your examination--listen."

While Goguet read the evidence aloud, the prisoner listened without
maki