"True, among gentlemen, my young friend. Oh! when it pleases two gentlemen to cut each other's throats, it's a privilege of their rank, and the king has nothing to say; but if the common people take it into their head some fine day to fight with gentlemen, as they are twenty times as numerous, there would soon be no more gentlemen, which would be a great pity." "How many days do you think my trial will last?" "Five or six, in all likelihood." "What!" cried the student, "five or six days! No more than that?" "Why should it? The facts are clear enough; a man dies, you confess that you killed him, and justice is satisfied. However," added the judge, assuming a still more benevolent expression, "if two or three days more would be agreeable to you--" "Very agreeable." "Oh well! we will spin out the report, and gain time in that way. You are a good fellow at heart, and I shall be delighted to do something for you." "Thanks," said the student. "And now," said the judge, rising, "have you any further request to make?" "I would like to see a priest: is it impossible?" "No; it is your right." "In that case, Monsieur le Juge, ask them to send one to me." "I will do your errand. No ill will, my young friend." "Good lack! on the contrary, I am deeply grateful." "Master Student," said the clerk in an undertone, stepping to Aubrey's side, "would you be willing to do me a favor?" "Gladly," said Aubrey; "what might it be?" "It may be that you have friends or relatives to whom you intend to bequeath all your possessions?" "Friends? I have but one, and he's a prisoner like myself. Relatives? I have only cousins, and very distant cousins at that. So, say on, Master Clerk, say on." "Monsieur, I am a poor man, father of a family, with five children." "What then?" "I have never had any opportunities in my position, which I fill, as you can testify, with scrupulous probity. All my confrères are promoted over my head." "Why is that?" "Why? Ah! why? I will tell you." "Do so." "Because they are lucky." "Aha!" "And why are they lucky?" "That's what I would ask you, Master Clerk." "And that's what I am about to tell you, Master Student." "I shall be very glad to know." "They are lucky,"--here the clerk lowered his voice a half-tone more,--"they are lucky because they have the rope a man was hanged with in their pocket: do you understand?" "No." "You're rather dull. You will make a will, eh?" "A will! why should I?" "Dame! so that there may be no contest among your heirs. Very good! write in your will that you authorize Marc-Boniface Grimoineau, cleric to Monsieur le Lieutenant Criminel, to claim from the executioner a hit of the rope you are hanged by." "Ah!" said Aubry, in a choking voice. "Yes, now I understand." "And you will grant my request?" "To be sure!"