“I have been to Lyons, and have returned thence.” “What took you there? “I will tell you later.” “In the month of December last, Madame de Lamotte and her son came to Paris? “That is so.” “They both lodged in your house?” “I have no reason to deny it.” “But neither she herself, nor Monsieur de Lamotte, had at first intended that she should accept a lodging in the house which you occupied.” “That is quite true. We had important accounts to settle, and Madame de Lamotte told me afterwards that she feared some dispute on the question of money might arise between us—at least, that is the reason she gave me. She was mistaken, as the event proved, since I always intended to pay, and I have paid. But she may have had another reason which she preferred not to give.” “It was the distrust of this man which she felt,” exclaimed Monsieur de Lamotte. Derues answered only with a melancholy smile. “Silence, monsieur,” said the magistrate, “silence; do not interrupt.” Then addressing Derues— “Another motive? What motive do you suppose?” “Possibly she preferred to be more free, and able to receive any visitor she wished.” “What do you mean?” “It is only supposition on my part, I do not insist upon it.” “But the supposition appears to contain a hint injurious to Madame de Lamotte’s reputation?” “No, oh no!” replied Derues, after a moment’s silence. This sort of insinuation appeared strange to the magistrate, who resolved to try and force Derues to abandon these treacherous reticences behind which he sheltered himself. Again recommending silence to Monsieur de Lamotte, he continued to question Derues, not perceiving that he was only following the lead skilfully given by the latter, who drew him gradually on by withdrawing himself, and that all the time thus gained was an advantage to the accused. “Well,” said the magistrate, “whatever Madame de Lamotte’s motives may have been, it ended in her coming to stay with you. How did you persuade her to take this step?” “My wife accompanied her first to the Hotel de France, and then to other hotels. I said no more than might be deemed allowable in a friend; I could not presume to persuade her against her will. When I returned home, I was surprised to find her there with her son. She could not find a disengaged room in any of the hotels she tried, and she then accepted my offer.” “What date was this?” “Monday, the 16th of last December.” “And when did she leave your house?” “On the 1st of February.” “The porter cannot remember having seen her go out on that day.” “That is possible. Madame de Lamotte went and came as her affairs required. She was known, and no more attention would be paid to her than to any other inmate.” “The porter also says that for several days before this date she was ill, and obliged to keep her room?”