MOUZON. That? It's the blade of the knife that brought the pretty Toulouse woman to the guillotine at Bordeaux. Pretty weapon, eh? I had it made into a paper-knife. [_He opens the envelope_] There--there you are! Four times sentenced for assaulting and wounding. You see-- MONDOUBLEAU. Really, really! Four times! MOUZON. This is getting interesting. Besides this--I have neglected nothing--I have learned that his wife, Yanetta Etchepare-- MONDOUBLEAU. Is that the young woman I saw in the corridor just now? MOUZON. I have called her as witness. I shall be hearing her directly. MONDOUBLEAU. She looks a very respectable woman. MOUZON. Possibly. But, as I was about to tell you, I have learned that she used to live in Paris--before her marriage--I have written asking for information. Here we are. [_He opens the envelope and smiles_] Aha! Well, this young woman who looks so respectable was sentenced to one month's imprisonment for receiving stolen goods. Now we will hear the police lieutenant who is coming, very obligingly, to give me an account of the inquiry with which I intrusted him, and which he will put in writing this evening. I shall soon see-- MONDOUBLEAU. Do you suppose he will have anything new for you? MOUZON. Does this interest you? I will see him in your presence. [_He goes to the door and makes a sign. He returns to his chair_] Understand, I assert nothing. It is quite possible that my colleague's judgment has been more correct than mine. [_The officer enters_] SCENE III:--_The same and the officer._ OFFICER. Good-morning, Monsieur. MOUZON. Good-morning, lieutenant. You can speak before this gentleman. OFFICER [_saluting_] Our deputy-- MOUZON. Well? OFFICER. Yes! He's the man! MOUZON [_after a glance at Mondoubleau_] Don't let's go too fast. On what grounds do you make that assertion? OFFICER. You will see. In the first place there have been four convictions already. MOUZON. I know. OFFICER. Then fifteen years ago he bought, from Daddy Goyetche, the victim, a vineyard, the payment taking the form of a life annuity. MOUZON. Well! OFFICER. He professed to have made a very bad bargain, and he used to abuse old Goyetche as a swindler. MOUZON. Excellent! OFFICER. Five years ago he sold this vineyard. MOUZON. So that for five years he has been paying an annuity to the victim, although the vineyard was no longer his property. OFFICER. Yes, your worship. MOUZON. Go on. OFFICER. After his arrest people's tongues were loosened. His neighbors have been talking. MOUZON. That's always the way. OFFICER. I have heard a witness, the girl Gracieuse Mendione, to whom Etchepare used the words, "It is really too stupid to be forced to pay money to that old swine." MOUZON. Wait a moment. You say the girl Gracieuse? OFFICER. Mendione. MOUZON [_writing_] Mendione--"It is really too stupid to be forced to pay money to that old swine." Good! Good! Well? OFFICER. I have another witness, Piarrech Artola.