cts themselves than by a kind of
inspiration.

MONDOUBLEAU. Wonderful. I repeat it's wonderful. And this witness for
the defence?

MOUZON. He may be a false witness.

MONDOUBLEAU. What makes you think that?

MOUZON. Because he accuses the gipsies! Moreover, he had business
dealings with Etchepare. The Basque, you know, still look on us rather
as enemies, as conquerors, and they think it no crime to deceive us by
means of a false oath.

MONDOUBLEAU. Then you were never inclined to accept the theory of your
predecessor?

MOUZON. Tramps--the poor wretches! I know what an affection you have for
the poor, and I feel with you that one should not confine oneself to
suspecting the unfortunate--people without shelter, without bread even.

MONDOUBLEAU. Bravo! I am delighted to find that you are not only an able
magistrate, but also that you think with me on political matters.

MOUZON. You are very good.

MONDOUBLEAU. I hope that from now on the Basque newspapers will cease
its attacks upon you.

MOUZON. I am afraid not.

MONDOUBLEAU. Come, come!

MOUZON. What can you expect, my dear sir? The paper is hostile to you,
and as I do not scruple openly to support your candidature they make the
magistrate pay for the opinions of the citizen.

MONDOUBLEAU. I feel ashamed--and I thank you with all my heart, my dear
fellow. Go on as you are doing--but be prudent--eh? The Keeper of the
Seals was saying to me only a couple of days ago, "I look to you to see
that there is no trouble in your constituency. No trouble--above all no
scandal of any kind!" I ought to tell you that Eugene is the subject of
many attacks at the present moment.

MOUZON. You are on very intimate terms with his Honor the Keeper of the
Seals.

MONDOUBLEAU [_makes a gesture, then, simply_] We were in the Commune
together.

MOUZON. I see.

MONDOUBLEAU. Tell me, by the way, what sort of a man is your State
Attorney?

MOUZON. Monsieur Vagret?

MONDOUBLEAU. Yes.

MOUZON. Oh, well--he's a very painstaking magistrate, very exact--

MONDOUBLEAU. No, I mean as to his political opinions.

MOUZON. You mustn't blame him for being in the political camp of those
who are diametrically opposed to us. At all events, don't run away with
the idea that he is a mischievous person.

MONDOUBLEAU. Narrow-minded. [_He has for some little time been gazing at
Mouzon's desk_] I see you've got the Labastide brief on your table.
There's nothing in it at all. I know Lab