A conversation of some length took place between the magistrates and ended in the decision which Don Luis foresaw. M. Desmalions walked across the room to Mme. Fauville. It was the catastrophe. He reflected for a second on the manner in which he should open this final contest, and then he asked:
"Are you still unable, Madame, to tell us how you employed your time last night?"
She made an effort and whispered:
"Yes, yes…. I took a taxi and drove about…. I also walked a little—"
"That is a fact which we can easily verify when we have found the driver of the taxi. Meanwhile, there is an opportunity of removing the somewhat … grievous impression which your silence has left on our minds."
"I am quite ready—"
"It is this: the person or one of the persons who took part in the crime appears
