But Sir Charles, in spite of the warning finger held up by the Judge,
insisted upon crying out to her, as she was being led into the other
room:

"Courage, dear lady, courage. Don't let them bully you. You have nothing
to fear."

Any further defiance of authority was now prevented by her almost
forcible removal from the room.


CHAPTER VI

The stormy episode just ended had rather a disturbing effect on M.
Floçon, who could scarcely give his full attention to all the points,
old and new, that had now arisen in the investigation. But he would have
time to go over them at his leisure, while the work of interrogation was
undertaken by the Judge.

The latter had taken his seat at a small table, and just opposite was
his _greffier_, or clerk, who was to write down question and answer,
_verbatim_. A little to one side, with the light full on the face, the
witness was seated, bearing the scrutiny of three pairs of eyes--the
Judge first, and behind him, those of the Chief Detective and the
Commissary of Police.

"I trust, madame, that you are equal to answering a few questions?"
began M. le Hardi, blandly.

"Oh, yes, I hope so. Indeed, I have no choice," replied the Countess,