You have concocted them so as to be able to say to me: 'I didn't see
anything; I didn't hear anything.' If such is your system of defense,
I warn you that it will be impossible for you to maintain it, and I may
add that it would not be admitted by any tribunal."
"It is not a system of defense; it is the truth."
M. Segmuller seemed to reflect for a moment; then, suddenly, he
exclaimed: "Then you have nothing to tell me about this miserable
assassin?"
"But he is not an assassin, my good sir."
"What do you mean by such an assertion?"
"I mean that he only killed the others in protecting himself. They
picked a quarrel with him; he was alone against three, and saw very
plainly that he could expect no mercy from brigands who--"
The color rose to the Widow Chupin's cheeks, and she suddenly checked
herself, greatly embarrassed, and evidently regretting that she had
not bridled her tongue. It is true she might reasonably hope, that the
magistrate had imperfectly heard her words, and had failed to seize
their full purport, for two or three red-hot coals having fallen from
the grate on the hearth, he had taken up the tongs, and seemed to be
engrossed in the task of artistically arranging the fire.
"Who can tell me--who can prove to me that, on the contrary, it was not
this man who first attacked the others?" he murmured, thoughtfully.
"I can," stoutly declared the widow, already forgetful of her prudent
hesitation, "I can swear it.
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