第 15 节
作者:
别克陆上公务舱 更新:2021-02-20 16:16 字数:3015
judge makes a thoughtful person shudder。 The examining judge in this
case was young; and he felt obliged to say to the public prosecutor;
〃Do you think that woman was her husband's accomplice? Ought we to
take her into custody? Is it best to question her?〃
The prosecutor replied; with a careless shrug of his shoulders;
〃Montefiore and Diard were two well…known scoundrels。 The maid
evidently knew nothing of the crime。 Better let the thing rest there。〃
The doctor performed the autopsy; and dictated his report to the
sheriff。 Suddenly he stopped; and hastily entered the next room。
〃Madame〃 he said。
Juana; who had removed her bloody gown; came towards him。
〃It was you;〃 he whispered; stooping to her ear; 〃who killed your
husband。〃
〃Yes; monsieur;〃 she replied。
The doctor returned and continued his dictation as follows;
〃And; from the above assemblage of facts; it appears evident that the
said Diard killed himself voluntarily and by his own hand。〃
〃Have you finished?〃 he said to the sheriff after a pause。
〃Yes;〃 replied the writer。
The doctor signed the report。 Juana; who had followed him into the
room; gave him one glance; repressing with difficulty the tears which
for an instant rose into her eyes and moistened them。
〃Messieurs;〃 she said to the public prosecutor and the judge; 〃I am a
stranger here; and a Spaniard。 I am ignorant of the laws; and I know
no one in Bordeaux。 I ask of you one kindness: enable me to obtain a
passport for Spain。〃
〃One moment!〃 cried the examining judge。 〃Madame; what has become of
the money stolen from the Marquis de Montefiore?〃
〃Monsieur Diard;〃 she replied; 〃said something to me vaguely about a
heap of stones; under which he must have hidden it。〃
〃Where?〃
〃In the street。〃
The two magistrates looked at each other。 Juana made a noble gesture
and motioned to the doctor。
〃Monsieur;〃 she said in his ear; 〃can I be suspected of some infamous
action? I! The pile of stones must be close to the wall of my garden。
Go yourself; I implore you。 Look; search; find that money。〃
The doctor went out; taking with him the examining judge; and together
they found Montefiore's treasure。
Within two days Juana had sold her cross to pay the costs of a
journey。 On her way with her two children to take the diligence which
would carry her to the frontiers of Spain; she heard herself being
called in the street。 Her dying mother was being carried to a
hospital; and through the curtains of her litter she had seen her
daughter。 Juana made the bearers enter a porte…cochere that was near
them; and there the last interview between the mother and the daughter
took place。 Though the two spoke to each other in a low voice; Juan
heard these parting words;
〃Mother; die in peace; I have suffered for you all。〃
End