VAGRET [_touching a bell_] He will come. Then it's Monsieur Mouzon who
is appointed in my place?

THE PRESIDENT. It is Monsieur Mouzon.

VAGRET. Because he's the creature of a deputy, a Mondoubleau--

THE PRESIDENT. I cannot allow you to speak ill of Monsieur
Mondoubleau--before my face.

VAGRET. You think you may perhaps have need of him.

THE PRESIDENT. Precisely. [_The doorkeeper appears_] Will you carry that
to my hotel for me? The hotel by the station. You will easily recognize
it; my sentry is at the door. [_He hands the doorkeeper his boxes_] Au
revoir, my dear Vagret--no offence taken.

_He goes. Vagret puts on his hat and also makes ready to go.
Enter recorder and Etchepare._

THE RECORDER. You are going, your honor?

VAGRET. Yes.

THE RECORDER. You won't have any objection, then, if I bring Etchepare
in here? He's in the corridor, waiting for the formalities of his
release--and he complains he's an object of curiosity to everyone.

VAGRET. Of course!

THE RECORDER. I'll tell them to bring his wife here too when she leaves
the record office.

VAGRET. Very well.

THE RECORDER. I am just going to warn the warders--but the woman
Etchepare can't be released immediately.

VAGRET. Why?

THE RECORDER. She's detained in connection with another case. She's
charged with abusing a magistrate in the exercise of his duty.

VAGRET. Is that magistrate Monsieur Mouzon?

THE RECORDER. Yes, Monsieur.

VAGRET. I will try to arrange that.

THE RECORDER. Good-day, your honor.

VAGRET. Good-day.

SCENE II.

THE RECORDER [_at the door_] Etchepare--come in. You had better wait
here for your final discharge. It won't take much longer.

ETCHEPARE. Thank you, Monsieur.

THE RECORDER. Well, there you are, then, acquitted, my poor fellow!
There's one matter done with.

ETCHEPARE. It's finished as far as justice is concerned, Monsieur; it
isn't finished for me. I'm acquitted, it's true, but my life is made
miserable.

THE RECORDER. You didn't know--

ETCHEPARE. That's it.

THE RECORDER. It's a long time ago--you'll forgive her.

ETCHEPARE. Things like that, Monsieur--a Basque never forgives them.
It's as though a thunderbolt had struck me to the heart. And all the
misfortune that's befallen us--it's she who is the cause--God has
avenged himself. Everything's over.

THE RECORDER [_after a pause_] I am sorry for you with all my heart.

ETCHEPARE. Thank you, Monsieur. [_A pause_] Since you