two days ago?

Baudrillon
Yes, that is the very man.

Champagne
Didn't I tell you, M. Baudrillon, that it was for the mice that were
eating up everything, even in the house, and that I wanted it for
Madame?

The Magistrate
Do you hear him, madame? This is his plea; he pretends that you
yourself sent him to get this stuff, and that he handed the package to
you just as he took it from M. Baudrillon.

Gertrude
It is true, sir.

Ramel
Did you make any use of the arsenic, madame?

Gertrude
No, sir.

The Magistrate
You can then show us the package sent by M. Baudrillon; it should have
his label, and if he acknowledges that it is entire and unbroken, the
serious charges made against your foreman will in part be disproved.
We shall then have nothing more to do than to receive the report of
the physician who held the autopsy.

Gertrude
The package, sir, has never been taken from the desk in my bedroom.
(Exit.)

Champagne
Ah! General, I am saved.

The General
Poor old Champagne!

Ramel
General, we shall be very happy if we have to announce the innocence
of your foreman; unlike you soldiers, we are always delighted to be
beaten.

Gertrude (returning)
Here it is, gentlemen.

(The Magistrate, Baudrillon and Ramel examine the package.)

Baudrillon (putting on his glasses)
It is intact, gentlemen, perfectly intact. Here is my seal on it
unbroken.

The Magistrate
Lock that up carefully, madame, for the assizes for sometime have had
to deal with nothing but poisoning cases.

Gertrude
You see, sir, I have kept it in my desk, in which none but the General
and myself have access.

(Gertrude returns to her bedroom.)

Ramel
General, we will not wait for the report of the autopsy. The principal
charge, which you will agree with me was very serious, for all the
town was talking of it, has been disproved; and we have full
confidence in the skill and integrity of Doctor Vernon. (Gertrude
returns) Champagne, you are at liberty. (General expression of
satisfaction.) But you see, my friend, to what painful suspicions a
man exposes himself when his home has a bad name.

Champagne
Ask the General, your Honor, if I am not mild as a lamb; but my wife,
God forgive her, was the worst that was ever made. An angel could not
have stood her. If I have sometimes tried to bring her to reason, the
anxious moments you have made me pass here, have been punishment
enough! To be taken up for a prisoner, and to know yoursel