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