astide well; he's one of my
ablest electoral agents; and I assure you he's absolutely incapable of
committing the actions of which he is accused. I told Monsieur Vagret as
much, but I see he is prosecuting after all.

MOUZON. I can only assure you, my dear deputy, that I will give the
Labastide affair my most particular attention.

MONDOUBLEAU. I have too much respect for you, my dear fellow, to ask
more of you. Well, well, I mustn't waste your time. So for the present--

MOUZON. Au revoir. [_The deputy goes out. Mouzon is alone_] I don't
think our deputy is getting such a bad idea of me. [_Smiling_] The fact
is it was really clever of me to suspect Etchepare. Now the thing is to
make him confess the whole business, and as quickly as possible--

_The doorkeeper enters, a telegram in his hand._

MOUZON. A telegram for me?

DOORKEEPER. Yes, your honor.

MOUZON. Give it me. Right. [_The doorkeeper goes out. Mouzon reads_]
"Diane is detained under arrest. The report of yesterday's affair sent
to the Attorney-General.--Lucien." That's nice for me! [_He is silent,
pacing to and fro_] Oh, the accursed women! [_Silence_] Come, I must
get to work. [_He goes to the door at the back and calls his recorder_]
Benoit!

SCENE V:--_Mouzon, the recorder, and then Bridet._

MOUZON [_seated, gives a brief to the recorder_] Make out an order of
non-lieu in the Labastide case and the order for his immediate release.
You can do that during the interrogatories. Now, let us begin! It is two
o'clock already and we have done nothing. Make haste--Let's see--What
are you waiting for? Give me the list of witnesses--the list of
witnesses. Don't you understand? What's the matter with you to-day?
That's right. Now bring in this famous witness for the defence and let
us get rid of him. Is Etchepare there?

RECORDER. Yes, your honor.

MOUZON. His wife too?

RECORDER. Yes, your honor.

MOUZON. Well, then! What's the matter with you that you look at me like
that? Bring him in.

RECORDER. Which first? Etchepare?

MOUZON. No!--the witness for the defence. The wit-ness for the
de-fence--do you understand?

RECORDER [_outside, angrily_] Bridet! Come, Bridet, are you deaf? Come
in! [_Roughly_] Stir yourself!

_Bridet enters._

BRIDET. Your worship, I am going to tell you--

MOUZON. Hold your tongue. You will speak when you are questioned. Name,
surname, age, profession, and place of domicile.

BRIDET. Bridet, Jean-Pierre,