human
You insist, said the judge,
gpt
Yes, replied Gautran,
human
I insist upon it.
gpt
Evidence will be brought forward to prove that it was not so. What, then, will you answer?
human
That whoever denies it is a liar.
gpt
And if a dozen or twenty deny it?
human
They lie, the lot of them.
gpt
What should make them speak falsely instead of truly?
human
Because they are all against me.
gpt
There is no other evidence except your bare statement that Madeline and you were affianced.
human
That is my misfortune. If she were alive she could speak for me.
gpt
It is a safe remark, the poor child being in her grave. It is the rule for young girls to love men whose appearance is not repulsive.
human
Is this, cried Gautran, smiting his face with his fist,
gpt
No; but a girl has generally a cause for falling in love. If the man be not attractive in appearance, it is almost certain he will possess some other quality to attract her. He may be clever, and this may win her.
human
I do not pretend to be clever.
gpt
His manners may be engaging. His nature may be kind and affectionate, and she may have had proof of it.
human
She was fond of you?
gpt
Aye.
human
Did she tell you so, and when?
gpt
Always when we were alone.
human
We cannot have Madeline's evidence as to the feelings she entertained for you; but we can have the evidence of others who knew you both. Are you acquainted with Katherine Scherrer?
gpt
Not too well; we were never very intimate.
human
She is a young woman a few years older than Madeline, and she warned Madeline against you. She herself had received instances of your brutality. Before you saw Madeline you made advances towards Katherine Scherrer.
gpt
False. She made advances towards me. She asked me to be her lover, and now she speaks against me out of revenge.
human
She has not spoken yet, but she will. Madeline told her that she trembled at the sight of you, and had entreated you not to follow her; but that you would not be shaken off.
gpt
It is my way; I will never be baulked.
human
It is true, therefore; you paid no attention to this poor girl's entreaties because it is your way not to allow yourself to be baulked.
gpt
I did not mean that; I was thinking of other matters.
human
Katherine Scherrer has a mother.
gpt
Yes; a woman of no account.
human
Some time ago this mother informed you, if you did not cease to pester Katherine with your insulting proposals, that she would have you beaten.
gpt
I should like to see the man who would have attempted it.
human
That is savagely spoken for one whose nature is kind and affectionate.
gpt
May not a man defend himself? I don't say I am kind and affectionate to men; but I am to women.
human
The murdered girl found you so. Hearing from her daughter that Madeline was frightened of you, and did not wish you to follow her, Katherine's mother desired you to let the girl alone.
gpt
She lies.
human
They all lie who utter a word against you?
gpt
Every one of them.
human
You never courted Katherine Scherrer?
gpt
Never.
human
Her mother never spoke to you about either her daughter or Madeline?
gpt
Never.
human
Do you know the Widow Joseph?
gpt
No.
human
Madeline lodged in her house.
gpt
What is that to me?
human
Did she never speak to you concerning Madeline?
gpt
Never.
human
Attend. Four nights before Madeline met her death you were seen prowling outside Widow Joseph's house.
gpt
I was not there.
human
The Widow Joseph came out and asked you what you wanted.
gpt
She did not.
human
You said you must see Madeline. The Widow Joseph went into the house, and returned with the message that Madeline would not see you. Upon that you tried to force your way into the house, and struck the woman because she prevented you. Madeline came down, alarmed at the sounds of the struggle, and begged you to go away, and you said you would, now that you had seen her, as you had made up your mind to. What have you to say to this?
gpt
A batch of lies. Twenty women could not have prevented me getting into the house.
human
You think yourself a match for twenty women?
gpt
Aye.
human
And for as many men?
gpt
For one man, whoever he may be. Give me the chance of proving it.
human
Do you know Heinrich Heitz?
gpt
No.
human
He is, like yourself, a woodcutter.
gpt
There are thousands of woodcutters.
human
Did you and he not work together as partners?
gpt
We did not.
human
Were you not continually quarrelling, and did he not wish to break the partnership?
gpt
No.
human
In consequence of this, did you not threaten to murder him?
gpt
No.
human
Did you not strike him with a weapon, and cut his forehead open?
gpt
No.
human
How many women have you loved?
gpt
One.
human
Her name?
gpt
Madeline.
human
You never loved another?
gpt
Never.
human
Have you been married?
gpt
No.
human
Have you ever lived with a woman who should have been your wife?
gpt
Never.
human
Did you not continually beat this poor woman until her life became a burden to her, and she was compelled to fly from you to another part of the country?
gpt
No.
human
Do you expect to be believed in the answers you have given?
gpt
No.
human
It is said that you possess great strength.
gpt
It has served me in good stead.
human
That you are a man of violent passions.
gpt
I have my feelings. I would never submit to be trampled on.
human
You were always kind to Madeline?
gpt
Always.
human
On the night of her murder?
gpt
Yes.
human
Witnesses will prove that you were heard to say, 'I will kill you! I will kill you!' Do you deny saying so?
gpt
No.
human
How does that cruel threat accord with a mild and affectionate nature?
gpt
I was asking her whether she had another lover, and I said if she had, and encouraged him, that I would kill her.
human
The handkerchief found round her neck was yours.
gpt
I gave it to her as a love-gift.
human
A terrible love-gift. It was not wound loosely round her neck; it was tight, almost to strangulation.
gpt
She must have made it so in her struggles, or----
human
Or?
gpt
The man who killed her must have attempted to strangle her with it.
human
That is your explanation?
gpt
Yes.
human
Your face is bathed in perspiration; your eyes glare wildly.
gpt
Change places with me, and see how you would feel.
human
Such signs, then, are the signs of innocence?
gpt
What else should they be?