"Oh," said he, "only for some bits of information! You would have
ferreted out the truth without me all the same."
The judge arose and graciously, but not without effort, extended his
hand to M. Lecoq, who respectfully pressed it.
"You have spared me," said the judge, "a great remorse. Guespin's
innocence would surely sooner or later have been recognized; but the
idea of having imprisoned an innocent man and harassed him with my
interrogatories, would have disturbed my sleep and tormented my
conscience for a long time."
"God knows this poor Guespin is not an interesting youth," returned the
detective. "I should be disposed to press him hard were I not certain
that he's half a fool."