"It is the confidence of a dead person, Monsieur," Dantin replied, in vibrating tones. "There are no confidences when justice is in the balance." "But it is also the secret of a living person," said Jacques Dantin. "Is it of yourself of whom you speak?" He gazed keenly at the face, now tortured and contracted. Dantin replied: "No, I do not speak of myself, but of another." "That other--who is he?" "It is impossible to tell you." "Impossible?" "Absolutely impossible!" "I will repeat to you my first question--'Why?'" "Because I have sworn on my honor to reveal it to no one." "Ah, ah!" said Ginory, mockingly; "it was a vow? That is perfect!" "Yes, Monsieur le Juge; it was a vow." "A vow made to whom?" "To Rovère." "Who is no longer here to release you from it. I understand." "And," asked Dantin, with a vehemence which made the registrar's thin hand tremble as it flew over the paper, "what do you understand?" "Pardon," said M. Ginory; "you are not here to put questions, but to answer those which are asked you. It is certain that a vow which binds the holder of a secret is a means of defence, but the accused have, by making common use of it, rendered it useless." The Magistrate noticed the almost menacing frown with which Dantin looked at him at the words, "the accused." "The accused?" said the man, turning in his chair. "Am I one of the accused?" His voice was strident, almost strangled. "I do not know that," said M. Ginory, in a very calm tone; "I say that you wish to keep your secret, and it is a claim which I do not admit." "I repeat, Monsieur le Juge, that the secret is not mine." "It is no longer a secret which can remain sacred here. A murder has been committed, a murderer is to be found, and everything you know you ought to reveal to justice." "But if I give you my word of honor that it has not the slightest bearing on the matter--with the death of Rovère?" "I shall tell my registrar to write your very words in reply--he has done it--I shall continue to question you, precisely because you speak to me of a secret which has been confided to you and which you refuse to disclose to me. Because you do refuse?" "Absolutely!" "In spite of what I have said to you? It is a warning; you know it well!" "In spite of your warning!" "Take care!" M. Ginory softly said. His angry face had lost its wonted amiability. The registrar quickly raised his head. He felt that a decisive moment had come. The Examining Magistrate looked directly into Dantin's eyes and slowly said: "You remember that you were seen by the portress at the moment when Rovère, standing with you in front of his open safe, showed you some valuables?"