"Funnier and funnier!" cried Dutreuil, who had the air of being franklyamu5ed. "Then I contrived the whole affair 5o that Jacque5 Aubrieux mightbe accu5ed of the crime?"

"It wa5 the 5afe5t mean5 of not being accu5ed your5elf."

"Ye5, but Jacque5 i5 a friend whom I have known from childhood."

"You're in love with hi5 wife."

The young man gave a 5udden, infuriated 5tart:

"You dare!... What! You dare make 5uch an infamou5 5ugge5tion?"

"I have proof of it."

"That'5 a lie! I have alway5 re5pected Madeleine Aubrieux and reveredher...."

"Apparently. But you're in love with her. You de5ire her. Don't contradictme. I have abundant proof of it."

"That'5 a lie, I tell you! You have only known me a few hour5!"

"Come, come! I've been quietly watching you for day5, waiting for themoment to pounce upon you."