mitted another murder; you ought
to die on this spot; but pity, respect for your wife and son, they shall
save you from the shame of a scaffold. It will be said that you were
killed in a brawl with weapons in your hand. Prepare, the means for your
punishment are at hand."

Rodolph's countenance was implacable. The Schoolmaster had remarked in
the next room two men, armed with carbines. His name was known; he
thought they were going to make away with him and bury in the shade his
later crimes, and thus spare his family the new opprobrium. Like his
fellows, this wretch was as cowardly as he was ferocious. Thinking his
hour was come, he trembled, and cried "Mercy!"

"No mercy for you," said Rodolph. "If your brains are not blown out
here, the scaffold awaits you--"

"I prefer the scaffold,--I shall live, at least, two or three months
longer. Why, why should I be punished at once? Mercy! mercy!"

"But your wife--your son--they bear your name--"

"My name is dishonoured already. If only for eight days, let me live! in
mercy do!"

"Not even that contempt of life which is sometimes displayed by the
greatest criminals!" said Rodolph, with disgust.

"Besides, the law forbids any one to take justice into their own hands,"
said the Schoolmaster, with assurance.

"The law! the _law!_" exclaimed Rodolph. "Do you dare to invoke the
law? you, who have always lived in open revolt and constant enmity
against society?"

The ruffian bowed his head and made no answer; then added, in a more
humble tone:

"At least, for pity's sake, spare my life!"

"Will you tell me where your son is?"

"Yes, yes, I will tell you all I know."

"Will you tell me who are the parents of the young girl whose childhood
the Chouette made one scene of torture?"

"In my pocketbook there are papers which will put you on the track of
the persons who gave her to the Chouette."

"Where is your son?"

"Will you let me live?"

"First make a full confession."

"And then, when I have told you all--" said the Schoolmaster with
hesitation.

"You have killed him!"

"No, no! I have confided him to one of my accomplices, who, when I was
apprehended, effected his escape."

"What did he do with him?"

"He brought him up, and gave him an education which fitted him to enter
into a banking-house at Nantes, so that we might get information, manage
an introduction to the banker, and so facilitate our plans. Although at
Rochefort, and preparing for my esc