"But what were you doing in Varses?" he asked.
Then I was forced to tell him that I had been in a mine accident.
"Which of you two is Remi?" he asked, in a softened voice.
"I am, sir," I replied.
"To prove that, you tell me how the catastrophe occurred. I read the whole account of it in the papers. You cannot deceive me. I can tell if you really are Remi. Now, be careful."
I could see that he was feeling very lenient towards us. I told him my experience in the mine, and when I had finished my story, I thought from his manner, which was almost affectionate, that he would give us our freedom at once, but instead he went out of the room, leaving me alone, a prey to my thoughts. After some time he returned with Mattia.
"I am going to have your story investigated at Ussel," he said. "If it is true, as I hope it is, you will be free to-morrow."
"And our cow?" asked Mattia anxiously.
"Will be given back to you."
"I didn't mean that," replied Mattia; "but who'll feed her, who'll milk her?"
"Don't worry, youngster," said the prosecutor.
Mattia smiled contentedly.
"Ah, then if they milk our cow," he asked, "may we have some milk for supper?"
"You certainly shall!"
As soon as we were alone I told Mattia the great
