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Martin Guerre - Celebrated Crimes by Alexandre Dumas père
page 51 of 60 (85%)
The unhappy woman fell on her knees, weeping.

"I adjure you," he continued solemnly, "you, my wife, Bertrande de Rolls,
to swear now, here, on the crucifix, that I am an impostor and a cheat."

A crucifix was placed before Bertrande; she made a sign as if to push it
away, endeavoured to speak, and feebly exclaimed, "No," then fell to the
ground, and was carried out insensible.

This scene considerably shook the opinion of the magistrates. They could
not believe that an impostor, whatever he might be, would have sufficient
daring and presence of mind thus to turn into mockery all that was most
sacred. They set a new inquiry on foot, which, instead of producing
enlightenment, only plunged them into still greater obscurity. Out of
thirty witnesses heard, more than three-quarters agreed in identifying as
Martin Guerre the man who claimed his name. Never was greater perplexity
caused by more extraordinary appearances. The remarkable resemblance
upset all reasoning: some recognised him as Arnauld du Thill, and others
asserted the exact contrary. He could hardly understand Basque, some
said, though born in Biscay, was that astonishing, seeing he was only
three when he left the country? He could neither wrestle nor fence well,
but having no occasion to practise these exercises he might well have
forgotten them. The shoemaker--who made his shoes afore-time, thought he
took another measure, but he might have made a mistake before or be
mistaken now. The prisoner further defended himself by recapitulating
the circumstances of his first meeting with Bertrande, on his return, the
thousand and one little details he had mentioned which he only could have
known, also the letters in his possession, all of which could only be
explained by the assumption that he was the veritable Martin Guerre. Was
it likely that he would be wounded over the left eye and leg as the
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