"Do you know who he is?"

"Very--very--well."

"What is his name?"

"Oh, yes!"

"What is his name? Tell us."

Cocoleu's features betrayed the fearful anguish of his mind.
He hesitated, and at last he answered, making a violent
effort,--"Bois--Bois--Boiscoran!"

The name was received with murmurs of indignation and incredulous
laughter. There was not a shadow of doubt or of suspicion. The peasants
said,--

"M. de Boiscoran an incendiary! Who does he think will believe that
story?"

"It is absurd!" said Count Claudieuse.

"Nonsense!" repeated the mayor and his friend.

Dr. Siegnebos had taken off his spectacles, and was wiping them with an
air of intense satisfaction.

"What did I tell you?" he exclaimed. "But the gentleman did not
condescend to attach any importance to my suggestions."