Having bowed to Athenais he thanked her deferentially as she waved him to a chair.
"In my father's absence, Monsieur, I require your services," she began at once, and with a slight turn of her head towards Roger, went on: "This is Monsieur Breuc of Strasbourg. He is accused of killing some old man. Please see to it that the charge is withdrawn."
The lawyer coughed. "I am entirely at your disposal, Mademoiselle; but I am sure you will permit me to remark that the law is made by the King, and is therefore above and beyond us all. Once set in motion its processes cannot be stopped by a mere request, even should the request be made by such a distinguished personage as Monseigneur, your father. However, I will assuredly do all I can if I may be permitted to know the full circumstances of the case."
Without replying Athenais waved her fan in Roger's direction and he once more related the nerve-racking sequence of events that had befallen him earlier that evening.
When he had done, Maitre Leger slightly inclined his handsome head. "If all that you have told me is correct, I think there is a fair hope that you are mistaken in your belief that Monsieur Fouché intended to charge you with the Doctor's murder. It seems to me more likely that his attempts to have you stopped were actuated by his desire to get possession of the money-belt, and that in your own excitement you confused his cries announcing that a killing had taken place with those calling upon the other occupants of the inn to stay your flight."
"There," exclaimed Madame Marie-Ange in triumph, " 'tis the very thing I said myself towards the end of dinner."
"I only pray that you may be right," Roger murmured, as the lawyer continued:
"Moreover, if a trial results, Monsieur Fouché will be forced to resort to statements containing much perjury in order to make a case against you. If one of them is proved false not only might the whole case break down but he would find himself in serious trouble. I can see no reason why he should elect to run such a risk when he can terminate the issue by frankly admitting that he killed the doctor himself in self-defence. That was in fact what happened, was it not?"
"Yes, it would be difficult to contend otherwise," Roger agreed, after a moment. " Twas all so sudden and so horrible that the thought had not occurred to me; yet I must admit that the Doctor had struck him down with the hilt of my sword, and was about to strike at him again just as he fired his pistol."
"Are you prepared to swear to that before a magistrate?"
"Yes; if I must."
"That is well. You must remember that in the moments succeeding your friend's death Monsieur Fouché had no reason at all to suppose that you would be willing to give evidence which would clear him of a charge of murder. It may be that he believed that you would attempt to get him hanged, if you could, and instantly made up his mind that his best prospect of escape lay in accusing you of the killing. It would then have been your word against his, and as you had taken the money the odds would have been in his favour. But there will be no official inquiry into the Doctor's death until to-morrow morning, and I will see Monsieur Fouché before the inquiry opens. If I inform him that you will come forward to give evidence that he killed the Doctor in self-defence, I feel there is every reason to hope that he will see the wisdom of admitting to it."
"I am indeed grateful, Monsieur," smiled Roger, now much comforted. "What you have said takes a great load from my mind."
"You are not out of the wood yet," Maitre Leger warned him. "And if complications arise it may be that you will be detained while further inquiries are made; but at least it does not appear that you have any grave reason to fear that you will be hung."
"I thank you, Monsieur," said Athenais. "You have cheered us mightily, and I rely on you to do your best for Monsieur Breuc."
The elderly lawyer bowed. "Your wishes, Mademoiselle, are my commands."
Madame Marie-Ang6 then turned to him and said: "Did I not hear that you are but just returned from Paris, Maitre Leger. What news have you brought with you from the capital?"
"The talk is all of His Majesty's appointment of Monsieur de Calonne to be the new Comtroller-General of the Finances," replied, the man in green, " 'Tis to be hoped that he will make a better showing than those who have held brief office during these past eighteen months; for public confidence has suffered a sad decline since the dismissal of M. Necker."
"Who was M. Necker, Monsieur?" inquired Athenais, and Roger looked at her in some surprise; since even he knew that Necker was the great Swiss banker whom Louis XVI had called to his assistance in the hope of straightening out the incredible tangle of debt and disorder into which the finances of France had fallen.
"He was for five years His Majesty's principal adviser, Mademoiselle," smiled the lawyer, "and a man of great ability. Before he was driven from office, getting on for two years ago, he published his Compte Rendu du Roi, which, for the first time in the history of our country, gave to the public a balance sheet showing how the King derives his revenues and how they are expended. 'Twas a sad pity that the Court prevented his continuing his progressive measures."
Count Lucien frowned. "I see no reason why the King should render an account to anyone of how he spends his money."
" 'Tis money obtained from the taxation of the people," Monsieur le Comte, "and surely they have some right to know what is done with it."
"That, I think, is generally accepted now," put in the Abbé "But am I not right in believing that M. Necker's Compte Rendu was misleading? Did it not show a credit balance which was later proved to have no real existence?"
Maitre Leger inclined his head. "Alas, Monsieur I'Abbé", that is so. Our state is far worse than we were led to suppose; yet the publication was a step in the right direction, and the alarming deficit was mainly due to our having taken up arms on behalf of the Americans against the English."
"That burden, at least, is lifted from us now," Madame Marie-Ange remarked. " 'Tis true, is it not, that the final ratification of the peace was signed last month?"
"Yes, Madame. And in Paris there were great rejoicings; particularly on the withdrawal of the English Commissioners from Dunkirk, which formed one of the stipulations of the treaty. It annulled the clause in the treaty of 1763, by which we were compelled to demolish the fortifications of Dunkirk and accept an English Commission there to assure that they were not re-erected. 'Twas a humiliation that the nation was well justified in resenting as long as it continued."
Athenais was looking bored, and asked suddenly: "Did you see my father, Monsieur, when you were in Paris?"
"Yes, Mademoiselle. Monseigneur le Marquis was much occupied, as he spends a great part of his time with the Count de Vergennes, His Majesty's Foreign Minister; but he did me the honour to receive me twice, and I am happy to be able to tell you that he is in excellent health."
"And did you go to Versailles?"
The lawyer smiled. "I have not the privilege of the entre to the Court, Mademoiselle."
"Yet you must have news of it; and such news is much more exciting than all this dreary talk of money and of foreign treaties?"
" 'Tis said to be as gay as ever. There are amusements from dinner at one each day until one the next morning. Three plays or operas are put on for their Majesties' entertainment each week and two balls, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with great suppers, and cards for those who prefer the tables. The Queen has just recommenced the weekly masked balls that she gives throughout the winter, and the principal occupation of the courtiers during the other six days is the preparation of the costumes in which they intend to appear. For some time past, both Paris and Versailles have been full of English visitors, and 'tis reported that Her Majesty shows them especial favour."