“That is exactly what I told Jacques.”
But the doctor was not the man to be surprised at what public opinion
said, much less to fear it. He exclaimed,--
“Don’t you hear what I say? Don’t you understand me? The proof that
the thing is neither so incredible nor so impossible is, that I had
suspected it. And there were signs of it, I should think. Why on earth
should a man like Jacques, young, rich, well made, in love with a
charming girl, and beloved by her, why should he amuse himself with
setting houses on fire, and killing people? You tell me he did not
like Count Claudieuse. Upon my word! If everybody who does not like Dr.
Seignebos were to come and fire at him forthwith, do you know my body
would look like a sieve! Among you all, M. Folgat is the only one who
has not been struck with blindness.”
The young lawyer tried modestly to protest.
“Sir”--