.

"After all, why not?" resumed the magistrate, lifting up his hands;
"such people are capable of anything. He says that he brings them from
the heart of Siberia: why may not all this prove to be a tissue of
impudent falsehoods?--But I am not to be made a dupe twice," cried
the burgomaster, in an angry tone, for, like all persons of a weak
and shifting character, he was without pity for those whom he thought
capable of having beguiled his compassion.

"Do not be in a hurry to decide--don't give to my words more weight
than they deserve," resumed Morok with a hypocritical affectation of
humility. "I am unhappily placed in so false a position with regard to
this man,"--pointing to Dagober--"that I might be thought to have acted
from private resentment for the injury he has done me; perhaps I may so
act without knowing it, while I fancy that I am only influenced by love
of justice, horror of falsehood, and respect for our holy religion.
Well--who lives long enough will know--and may heaven forgive me if I
am deceived!--In any case, the law will pronounce upon it; and if they
should prove innocent, they will be released in a month or two."

"And, for that reason, I need not hesitate. It is a mere measure of
precaution; they will not die of it. Besides, the more I think of it,
the more it seems probable. Yes this man is doubtless a French spy
or agitator, especially when I compare these suspicions with the late
demonstration of the students at Frankfort."

"And, upon that theory, nothing is better fitted to excite and stir
up those hot-headed youths than--" He glanced significantly at the two
sisters; then, after a pause, he added with a sigh, "Satan does not care
by what means he works out his ends!"

"Certainly, it would be odious, but well-devised."

"And then, Mr Burgomaster, look at him attentively: you will see that
this man has a dangerous face. You will see--"

In continuing thus to speak in a low tone, Morok had evidently pointed
to Dagobert. The latter, notwithstanding his self-command, felt that the
restraint he had imposed upon himself, since his arrival at this unlucky
inn, and above all wince the commencement of the conversation between
Morok and the burgomaster, was becoming no longer bearable; besides, he
saw clearly that all his efforts to conciliate the favor of the judge
were rendered completely null by the fatal influence of the brute-tamer;
so, losing patience, he advanced towards him with his ar