He was already at work.

He received the old amateur detective with his usual kindness, and even joked with him a little about his excitement of the previous evening.

Who would have thought his nerves were so sensitive?
Doubtless the night had brought deliberation.

Had he recovered his reason?
or had he put his hand on the true criminal?
This trifling tone in a magistrate, who was accused of being grave even to a fault, troubled the old man.

Did not this quizzing hide a determination not to be influenced by anything that he could say?
He believed it did; and it was without the least deception that he commenced his pleading.
He put the case more calmly this time, but with all the energy of a well-digested conviction.