And beyond this, a tale to which he stuck with undeviating persistence,
they could elicit nothing.

"He is either too clever for us or an absolute idiot and fool," said the
Judge, wearily, at last, when Groote had gone out. "We had better commit
him to Mazas and hold him there in solitary confinement under our hands.
After a day or two of that he may be less difficult."

"It is quite clear he was drugged, that the maid put opium or laudanum
into his drink at Laroche."

"And enough of it apparently, for he says he went off to sleep directly
he returned to the car," the Judge remarked.

"He says so. But he must have had a second dose, or why was the vial
found on the ground by his seat?" asked the Chief, thoughtfully, as much
of himself as of the others.

"I cannot believe in a second dose. How was it administered--by whom? It
was laudanum, and could only be given in a drink. He says he had no
second drink. And by whom? The maid? He says he did not see the maid
again."

"Pardon me, M. le Juge, but do you not give too much credibility to the
porter? For me, his evidence is tainted, and I hardly believe a word of
it. Did he not tell me at first he had not seen this maid after
Amberieux at 8 P.M.? Now he admits that he was drinking with her at the
buffet at Laroche. It is all a tissue of lies, his losing the
pocket-book and his papers too. There is something to conceal. Even his