DELORME. I've verified it.

VAGRET. Does it hold water?

DELORME. Incontestably.

VAGRET [_dejectedly_] Then you've set your man at liberty?

DELORME [_regretfully_] I simply had to.

VAGRET [_the same_] Obviously. [_A pause_] There is not a chance?

DELORME. No.

VAGRET. Well, then?

DELORME. Well, I beg you to give the brief to someone else.

VAGRET. Is that final?

DELORME. Yes. You see, my dear fellow, I'm too old to adapt myself to the customs of the day. I'm a magistrate of the old school, just as you are. I inherited from my father certain scruples which are no longer the fashion. These daily attacks in the press get on my nerves.

VAGRET. They would cease at the news of an arrest.

DELORME. Precisely. I should end by doing something foolish. Well, I have done something foolish already. I should not have arrested that man if I had not been badgered as I was.

VAGRET. He was a tramp. You gave him shelter for a few days. There's no great harm done there.

DELORME. All the same--

VAGRET. You let yourself be too easily discouraged. To-night or to-morrow something may turn up to put you on a new scent.

DELORME. Even then--Do you know what they are saying? They are saying that Maitre Placat, the Bordeaux advocate, is coming to defend the prisoner.

VAGRET. I don't see what he has to gain by that.

DELORME. He wants to come forward at the next election in our arrondiss.e.m.e.nt--and he counts on attacking certain persons in his plea, so as to gain a little popularity.

VAGRET. How can that affect you?

DELORME. Why, he can be present at all the interrogations of the accused. The law allows it--and as he is ravenous for publicity, he would tell the newspapers just what he pleased, and if my proceedings didn't suit him, I'd be vilified in the papers day after day.

VAGRET. You are exaggerating.

DELORME. I'm not. Nowadays an examination takes place in the market-place or the editorial offices of the newspapers rather than in the magistrate's office.

VAGRET. That is true where notorious criminals are concerned. In reality the new law benefits them and them only--you know as well as I do that for the general run of accused persons--

DELORME. Seriously, I beg you to take the brief back.

VAGRET. Come! You can't imagine that Maitre Placat, who has a hundred cases to plead, can be present at all your interrogations. You know what usually happens. He'll send some little secretary--if he sends anyone.

DELORME. I beg you not to insist, my dear Vagret. My decision is irrevocable.

VAGRET. Then--

DELORME. Allow me to take my leave. I don't want to meet my colleagues who are dining with you.

VAGRET. Then I'll see you to-morrow. I'm sorry--

DELORME. Good-night.

_He goes out. Madame Vagret at once enters by another door._

SCENE V:--_Vagret, Madame Vagret, then Bertha, Bunerat, La Bouzole, Mouzon._

MADAME VAGRET. Well, I heard--he gave you back the brief.

VAGRET. Yes--his health--the newspapers--

MADAME VAGRET. And now?

VAGRET. Be careful. No one suspects anything yet.

MADAME VAGRET. Make your mind easy. [_She listens_] This time it is our guests.

BERTHA. [_entering_] Here they are.

MADAME VAGRET. To your work, Bertha! And for me the _Revue des Deux Mondes_.

_They sit down. A pause._

BERTHA. They are a long time.

MADAME VAGRET. It's Madame Bunerat. Her manners always take time.

THE MANSERVANT. His Honor the President of the Court and Madame Bunerat.

MADAME VAGRET. How do you do, dear Madame Bunerat? [_They exchange greetings_]

THE MANSERVANT. His Honor Judge La Bouzole. His worship Judge Mouzon.

_Salutations; the guests seat themselves._

MADAME VAGRET [_to Madame Bunerat_] Well, Madame, so another session's finished!

MADAME BUNERAT. Yes, at last!