Volume VI Part 49 (1/2)

The other was silent He held the sheet close up to his neck, and rolled his startled eyes His little, curled-up moustache showed up black upon his blanched face

The commissary continued: ”You will not answer, eh? Then I shall be forced to arrest you In any case, get up I will question you when you are dressed”

The body wriggled in the bed, and the head murmured: ”But I cannot, before you”

The commissary asked: ”Why not?”

The other staan to chuckle sneeringly, and picking up a shi+rt that had fallen onto the floor, threw it onto the bed, exclaiet up

Since you have undressed in my wife's presence, you can very well dress in mine”

Then he turned his back, and returned towards the fireplace Madeleine had recovered all her coolness, and seeing that all was lost, was ready to dare anything Her eyes glittered with bravado, and twisting up a piece of paper she lit, as though for a reception, the ten candles in the ugly candelabra, placed at the corners of theout backwards to the dying fire one of her bare feet which she lifted up behind the petticoat, scarcely sticking to her hips, she took a cigarette froan to s that her accoot up

She inquired insolently: ”Do you often have such jobs as these, sir?”

He replied gravely: ”As seldo: ”I congratulate you; it is dirty work”

She affected not to look at or even to see her husband

But the gentle He had put on his trousers, pulled on his boots, and now approached putting on his waistcoat The co: ”Now, sir, will you tell me who you are?”

He ed to arrest you”

Then the man exclaimed suddenly: ”Do not lay hands on me My person is inviolable”

Du Roy darted towards hiht in the act, in the act I can have you arrested if I choose; yes, I can” Then, in a ringing tone, he added: ”This n Affairs”

The commissary drew back, stupefied, and stammered: ”Really, sir, will you tell me who you are?”

The other had made up his mind, and said in forcible tones: ”For once that scoundrel has not lied I a out his hand towards George's chest, in which a little bit of red ribbon showed itself, he added: ”And that rascal wears on his coat the cross of honor which I gave him”

Du Roy had become livid With a rapid movement he tore the bit of ribbon fro it into the fireplace, exclai from a swine like you”

They were quite close, face to face, exasperated, their fists clenched, the one lean, with a flowing moustache, the other stout, with a twisted one The co theetting yourselves; you are lacking in self-respect”

They became quiet and turned on their heels Madeleine,in silence

The police official resumed: ”Sir, I have found you alone with Madame Du Roy here, you in bed, she almost naked, with your clothes scattered about the rooal evidence of adultery You cannot deny this evidence What have you to say for yourself?”

Laroche-Mathieuto say; do your duty”

The commissary addressed hientleer: ”I do not deny it; he is h”