no longer the
fashion. These daily attacks in the press get on my nerves.

VAGRET. They would cease at the news of an arrest.

DELORME. Precisely. I should end by doing something foolish. Well, I
have done something foolish already. I should not have arrested that man
if I had not been badgered as I was.

VAGRET. He was a tramp. You gave him shelter for a few days. There's no
great harm done there.

DELORME. All the same--

VAGRET. You let yourself be too easily discouraged. To-night or
to-morrow something may turn up to put you on a new scent.

DELORME. Even then--Do you know what they are saying? They are saying
that Maitre Placat, the Bordeaux advocate, is coming to defend the
prisoner.

VAGRET. I don't see what he has to gain by that.

DELORME. He wants to come forward at the next election in our
arrondissement--and he counts on attacking certain persons in his plea,
so as to gain a little popularity.

VAGRET. How can that affect you?

DELORME. Why, he can be present at all the interrogations of the
accused. The law allows it--and as he is ravenous for publicity, he
would tell the newspapers just what he pleased, and if my proceedings
didn't suit him, I'd be vilified in the papers day after day.

VAGRET. You are exaggerating.

DELORME. I'm not. Nowadays an examination takes place in the
market-place or the editorial offices of the newspapers rather than in
the magistrate's office.

VAGRET. That is true where notorious criminals are concerned. In reality
the new law benefits them and them only--you know as well as I do that
for the general run of accused persons--

DELORME. Seriously, I beg you to take the brief back.

VAGRET. Come! You can't imagine that Maitre Placat, who has a hundred
cases to plead, can be present at all your interrogations. You know what
usually happens. He'll send some little secretary--if he sends anyone.

DELORME. I beg you not to insist, my dear Vagret. My decision is
irrevocable.

VAGRET. Then--

DELORME. Allow me to take my leave. I don't want to meet my colleagues
who are dining with you.

VAGRET. Then I'll see you to-morrow. I'm sorry--

DELORME. Good-night.

_He goes out. Madame Vagret at once enters by another door._

SCENE V:--_Vagret, Madame Vagret, then Bertha, Bunerat, La Bouzole,
Mouzon._

MADAME VAGRET. Well, I heard--he gave you back the brief.

VAGRET. Yes--his health--the newspapers--

MADAME VAGRET. And now?

VAGRET. Be careful. No o