"You were arrested, monsieur, at the Chateau de Lavedan two nights
ago by a company of dragoons under the command of Captain de
Castelroux. Is that so?"
"It is so, monsieur."
"And at the time of your arrest, upon being apprehended as Rene de
Lesperon, you offered no repudiation of the identity; on the
contrary, when Monsieur de Castelroux called for Monsieur de
Lesperon, you stepped forward and acknowledged that you were he."
"Pardon, monsieur. What I acknowledged was that I was known by
that name."
The President chuckled evilly, and his satellites smiled in polite
reflection of his mood.
"This acute differentiating is peculiar, Monsieur de Lesperon, to
persons of unsound mental condition," said he. "I am afraid that
it will serve little purpose. A man is generally known by his
name, is he not?" I did not answer him. "Shall we call Monsieur
de Castelroux to confirm what I have said?"
"It is not necessary. Since you allow that I may have said I was
known by the name, but refuse to recognize the distinction between
that and a statement that 'Lesperon' is my name, it would serve
no purpose to summon the Captain."
The President nodded, and with that the point was dismissed, and
he proceeded as calmly as though there never had been any question
of my identity.
"You are charged, Monsieur de Lesperon, with high treason in its
most virulent and malignant form. You are accused of having borne
arms against His Majesty.
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