“Well, if you adhere to the opinion you expressed this morning, you formally accuse this young man of assassination.” “But, Monsieur, I am my own accuser,” declared Bruno. “Pray, do not say that,” cried Sidonie, touching his arm. “That is to say, I suppose him to be guilty, since he alone had any interest in killing the keeper,” averred Léocadia, in answer to the remark made by the justice. “So that is your opinion?” “However,” continued Léocadia, “it is very strange that you refuse to believe his word when he confesses the deed. Everybody knows that day before yesterday Bruno and Madame Barrau were seen together in the walnut grove. Savin said he would teach Bruno a lesson. There is not a man in the village who does not know of Bruno’s love for Catherine Barrau. But if I were judge or gendarme it would not be long before I had them both on the way to Avallon prison.” “Do you pretend to dictate to me?” “No, Monsieur, but----” “Silence!” Monsieur Bérard turned to Andoche: “Is this true?” “In the main, yes.” Sidonie, pale and trembling, at length approached Bruno. “Why do you say such things, foolish boy? Don’t you see that will not save her?” Then going to Catherine the lame girl said: “Come, Madame, you as well as I have protested that what Bruno declares is not true. But perhaps you know the murderer. Then speak his name. Oh, tell us, I implore you! Bruno did not do this foul deed. Oh, no! He has spent his life in saving others.” Many who heard Sidonie’s earnest words agreed with her. Catherine, in turn, made the inquiry: “Was it you, Bruno? No.” “Yes, Madame, it was I.” “Do you swear it?” “I swear it.” Revolving the past in her mind, Catherine recalled Savin’s blow. The criminal must be somebody whom Savin thought was sent by his wife, or he would not have struck at her. And, therefore, Bruno, who had taken to flight at her proposition, perhaps had reconsidered it and resolved to carry it out. “I am a wretched woman,” she said, with a crestfallen look. Presently she once more withdrew to examine her cheek. It was burning, and she imagined that the impression of Savin’s fingers was still there. The justice and Banastre continued in consultation. They were at a loss as to their duty. In the face of Bruno’s confession, the other evidence seemed to put upon it a reasonable doubt, but finally they decided to arrest Bruno. In vain did he protest that he alone was the criminal; that Catherine was innocent. “Very well. That the magistrate must decide,” asseverated the Chief of Police. For the time being the prisoners were locked up in two rooms in the house. A guard was placed over them, and then the justice went home with Monsieur Eugène. The people likewise sought their homes. It was now eleven o’clock in the morning. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XVII. IN THE WOODS.