I have learned that
she used to live in Paris--before her marriage--I have written asking
for information. Here we are. [_He opens the envelope and smiles_] Aha!
Well, this young woman who looks so respectable was sentenced to one
month's imprisonment for receiving stolen goods. Now we will hear the
police lieutenant who is coming, very obligingly, to give me an account
of the inquiry with which I intrusted him, and which he will put in
writing this evening. I shall soon see--

MONDOUBLEAU. Do you suppose he will have anything new for you?

MOUZON. Does this interest you? I will see him in your presence. [_He
goes to the door and makes a sign. He returns to his chair_] Understand,
I assert nothing. It is quite possible that my colleague's judgment has
been more correct than mine. [_The officer enters_]

SCENE III:--_The same and the officer._

OFFICER. Good-morning, Monsieur.

MOUZON. Good-morning, lieutenant. You can speak before this gentleman.

OFFICER [_saluting_] Our deputy--

MOUZON. Well?

OFFICER. Yes! He's the man!

MOUZON [_after a glance at Mondoubleau_] Don't let's go too fast. On
what grounds do you make that assertion?

OFFICER. You will see. In the first place there have been four
convictions already.

MOUZON. I know.

OFFICER. Then fifteen years ago he bought, from Daddy Goyetche, the
victim, a vineyard, the payment taking the form of a life annuity.

MOUZON. Well!

OFFICER. He professed to have made a very bad bargain, and he used to
abuse old Goyetche as a swindler.

MOUZON. Excellent!

OFFICER. Five years ago he sold this vineyard.

MOUZON. So that for five years he has been paying an annuity to the
victim, although the vineyard was no longer his property.

OFFICER. Yes, your worship.

MOUZON. Go on.

OFFICER. After his arrest people's tongues were loosened. His neighbors
have been talking.

MOUZON. That's always the way.

OFFICER. I have heard a witness, the girl Gracieuse Mendione, to whom
Etchepare used the words, "It is really too stupid to be forced to pay
money to that old swine."

MOUZON. Wait a moment. You say the girl Gracieuse?

OFFICER. Mendione.

MOUZON [_writing_] Mendione--"It is really too stupid to be forced to
pay money to that old swine." Good! Good! Well?

OFFICER. I have another witness, Piarrech Artola.

MOUZON [_writing_] Piarrech Artola.

OFFICER. Etchepare told him, about two months ago, in speaking of old
Goyetche, "It's more than one