thirty-eight, maker of _alpargates_ at
Faigorry.

MOUZON [_in a single breath_] You swear to speak the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth. Say, "I swear." You are neither a
blood relative nor a relation by marriage of the accused, you are not in
his service and he is not in yours. [_To the recorder_] Has he said, "I
swear"?

RECORDER. Yes, your worship.

MOUZON [_to Bridet_] Speak! [_Silence_] Go on--speak!

BRIDET. I am waiting for you to ask me questions.

MOUZON. Just now one couldn't keep you quiet; now when I ask you to
speak you have nothing to say. What interest have you in defending
Etchepare?

BRIDET. What interest?

MOUZON. Yes. Don't you understand your own language?

BRIDET. Yes, Monsieur. Why, no interest.

MOUZON. No interest? Is that the truth? Eh? None? Come, I want very much
to believe you. [_Very sternly_] However, I remind you that Article 361
of the Penal Code punishes false evidence with imprisonment. Now that
you know the risk you run in not telling the truth I will listen to you.

BRIDET [_confused_] I was going to say that old Goyetche was murdered by
gipsies who came from over the frontier, down the mountain.

MOUZON. You are sure of that?

BRIDET. I believe it's so.

MOUZON. You are not here to say what you believe. Tell me what you saw
or heard. That is all that's asked of you.

BRIDET. But one's always meeting them, these gipsies. The other day they
robbed a tobacconist's shop. There were three of them. Two of them went
inside. I must tell you they had looked the place over during the day--

MOUZON. Did you come here to laugh at the law? Eh?

BRIDET. I?--But, Monsieur--

MOUZON. I ask if you came here to mock at the law?

BRIDET. No, Monsieur.

MOUZON. That's as well, for such a thing won't answer--you understand?
Do you hear?

BRIDET. Yes, Monsieur.

MOUZON. Is that all you have to say?

BRIDET. No, Monsieur.

MOUZON. Well, then, go on! Confound it! Don't waste my time in this way!
Do you think I've nothing to do but listen to your gossip? Come now,
tell me.

BRIDET. Well, the day after Ascension Day--that is, on the Monday--no,
on the Friday--

MOUZON. Was it Monday or Friday?

BRIDET. Friday--it was like a Monday, you see, because it was the day
after the holiday. Well, the day they found old Goyetche murdered I saw
a troop of gipsies leaving his house.

MOUZON. Then you were quite close to the house?

BRIDET. No, I was passing on the