“I beg you, sir, not to add insult to the misfortunes you have already
caused. If you stood in my place and I were in yours, I should feel some
pity and respect for so terrible a position. What do you want of me? and
why am I brought here?”
He did not know the events of last evening, and could only mentally
accuse the mason who had helped to bury the chest. He felt that he was
lost, but his audacity never forsook him.
“You are here, in the first place, to be confronted with this woman,”
said the officer, causing the widow Masson to stand opposite to him.
“I do not know her.”
“But I know you, and know you well. It was you who hired this cellar
under the name of Ducoudray.”