Sairmeuse family, and you have made Chanlouineau your accomplice?"

But Lacheneur, with a sudden movement, freed himself.

"I admit nothing," he replied. "And yet I wish to reassure you----"

He raised his hand as if to take an oath, and in a solemn voice, he
said:

"Before God, who hears my words, by all that I hold sacred in this
world, by the memory of my sainted wife who lies beneath the sod, I
swear that I am plotting nothing against the Sairmeuse family; that
I had no thought of touching a hair of their heads. I use them only
because they are absolutely indispensable to me. They will aid me
without injuring themselves."

Lacheneur, this time, spoke the truth. His hearer felt it; still he
pretended to doubt. He thought by retaining his own self-possession,
and exciting the anger of this unfortunate man still more, he might,
perhaps, discover his real intentions. So it was with an air of
suspicion that he said:

"How can one believe this assurance after the avowal you have just
made?"

Lacheneur saw the snare; he regained his self-possession as if by magic.

"So be it, Monsieur, refuse to believe me. But you will wring from me
only one more word on this subject. I have said too much already. I know
that you are guided solely by friendship for me; my gratitude is great,