you; but perhaps you will be prepared to believe that I also am a
man of honour,' said he.

'I require no assurances; the thing is manifest,' and I bowed.

'Very well, then,' said he. 'What about this Goguelat?'

'You heard me yesterday before the court,' I began. 'I was
awakened only--'

'Oh yes; I "heard you yesterday before the court," no doubt,' he
interrupted, 'and I remember perfectly that you were "awakened
only." I could repeat the most of it by rote, indeed. But do you
suppose that I believed you for a moment?'

'Neither would you believe me if I were to repeat it here,' said I.

'I may be wrong--we shall soon see,' says he; 'but my impression is
that you will not "repeat it here." My impression is that you have
come into this room, and that you will tell me something before you
go out.'

I shrugged my shoulders.

'Let me explain,' he continued. 'Your evidence, of course, is
nonsense. I put it by, and the court put it by.'

'My compliments and thanks!' said I.

'You MUST know--that's the short and the long,' he proceeded. 'All