“Answer, then. If she seduced your brother — you said she seduced him, did you not?”

“Yes.”

“If she caused his death — you said that she caused his death?”

“Yes,” repeated the executioner.

“Then you must know what her name was as a young girl.”

“Oh, mon Dieu!” cried the executioner, “I think I am dying. Absolution, father! absolution.”

“Tell me her name and I will give it.”

“Her name was — — My God, have pity on me!” murmured the executioner; and he fell back on the bed, pale, trembling, and apparently about to die.