Robelot had been several times prosecuted for illegal practicing;
so he thought he ought to protest against this.

"If I cure people," said he, "I'm not paid for it."

"Then your trade in herbs isn't what has enriched you."

The conversation was becoming a cross-examination. The bone-setter
was beginning to be restless.

"Oh, I make something out of the herbs," he answered.

"And as you are thrifty, you buy land."

"I've also got some cattle and horses, which bring in something.
I raise horses, cows, and sheep."

"Also without diploma?"

Robelot waxed disdainful.

"A piece of parchment does not make science. I don't fear the men
of the schools. I study animals in the fields and the stable,
without bragging. I haven't my equal for raising them, nor for
knowing their diseases."

M. Plantat's tone became more and more winning.

"I know that you are a bright fellow, full of experience. Doctor
Gendron, with whom you served, was praising your cleverness a
moment ago."

The bone-setter shuddered, not so imperceptibly as to escape
Plantat, who continued: "Yes, the good doctor said he never had
so intelligent an assistant. 'Robelot,' said he, 'has such an
aptitude for chemistry, and so much taste for it besides, that
he understands as well as I many of the most delicate operations.'"

"Parbleu! I did my best, for I was well paid, and I was always fond
of learning."

"And you were an apt scholar at Doctor Gendron's, Master Robelot;
he makes some very curious studies. His work and experience on
poisons are above all remarkable."

Robelot's uneasiness became apparent; his look wavered.

"Yes;" returned he, "I have seen some strange experiments."

"Well, you see, you may think yourself lucky--for the doctor is
going to have a splendid chance to study this sort of thing, and
he will undoubtedly want you to assist him."

But Robelot was too shrewd not to have already guessed that this
cross-examination had a purpose. What was M. Plantat after? he
asked himself, not without a vague terror. And, going over in
his mind the questions which had been asked, and the answers he had
given, and to what these questions led, he trembled. He thought
to escape further questioning by saying:

"I am always at my old master's orders when he needs me."

"He'll need you, be assured," said M. Plantat, who added, in a
careless tone, which his rapid glance at Robelot belied, "The
interest attaching to this case will be intense,