"If I save him," murmured he, "if for Claire's sake I leave him his honour and his life.

But how can I save him?
To do so I shall be obliged to suppress old Tabaret's discoveries, and make an accomplice of him by ensuring his silence.

We shall have to follow a wrong track, join Gevrol in running after some imaginary murderer.

Is this practicable?
Besides, to spare Albert is to defame Noel; it is to assure impunity to the most odious of crimes.

In short, it is still sacrificing justice to my feelings." The magistrate suffered greatly.