Must I give you an example to assist you? Very well. Let it be
so. Suppose yourself a magistrate. A crime is committed; you are
charged with the duty of investigating it, and you visit the prisoner
to question him. Very well. This prisoner has, hitherto, succeeded in
concealing his identity--this was the case in the present instance, was
it not? Very well. Now, what would you do if, at the very first glance,
you recognized under the prisoner's disguise your best friend, or your
worst enemy? What would you do, I ask?"
"I should say to myself that a magistrate who is obliged to hesitate
between his duty and his inclinations, is placed in a very trying
position, and I should endeavor to avoid the responsibility."
"I understand that; but would you reveal this prisoner's
identity--remember, he might be your friend or your enemy?"
The question was so delicate that Lecoq remained silent for a moment,
reflecting before he replied.
The pause was interrupted by Father Absinthe. "I should reveal nothing
whatever!" he exclaimed. "I should remain absolutely neutral. I should
say to myself others are trying to discover this man's identity. Let
them do so if they can; but let my conscience be clear."
This was the cry of honesty; not the counsel of a casuist.
"I also should be silent," Lecoq at last replied; "and it seems to
me that, in holding my tongue, I should not fail in my duty as a
magistrate."
On hearing these words, Tabaret rubbed his hands together, as he always
did when he was about to present some overwhelming argument.
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