liquors, thus breeding madness in the brains of your customers."

The old woman's little red eyes traveled slowly round the room, and then
in tearful tones she exclaimed: "What a misfortune! what will become of
me? Everything is broken--I am ruined!" She only seemed impressed by the
loss of her table utensils.

"Now tell us how this trouble began," said Gevrol.

"Alas! I know nothing about it. I was upstairs mending my son's clothes,
when I heard a dispute."

"And after that?"

"Of course I came down, and I saw those three men that are lying
there picking a quarrel with the young man you have arrested; the poor
innocent! For he is innocent, as truly as I am an honest woman. If my
son Polyte had been here he would have separated them; but I, a poor
widow, what could I do! I cried 'Police!' with all my might."

After giving this testimony she resumed her seat, thinking she had said
enough. But Gevrol rudely ordered her to stand up again. "Oh! we have
not done," said he. "I wish for other particulars."

"What particulars, dear Monsieur Gevrol, since I saw nothing?"

Anger crimsoned the inspector's ears. "What would you say, old woman, if
I arrested you?"

"It would be a great piece of injustice."