M.Fille bridled up, and his spare figure seemed to gain courage and dignity.
"If you think I will hold my peace unless you give your sacred pledge, you are mistaken, monsieur.

I am no meddler, but I have had much kindness at the hands of Monsieur and Madame Barbille, and I will do what I can to protect them and their daughter--that good and sweet daughter, from the machinations, corruptions and malfeasance--" "Three damn good words for the Court, bagosh!" exclaimed Masson with a jeer.
"No, with a man devoid of honour, I shall not hesitate, for the Manor Cartier has been the home of domestic peace, and madame, who came to us a stranger, deserves well of the people of that ancient abode of chivalry-the chivalry of France." "When we are wound up, what a humming we can make!" laughed George Masson sourly.

"Have you quite finished, m'sieu' ?" "The matter is urgent, you will admit, monsieur ?" again demanded M.
Fille with austerity.
"Not at all." The master-carpenter was defiant and insolent, yet there was a devilish kind of humour in his tone as in his attitude.
"You will not heed the warning I give ?" The little Clerk pointed to the open page of the Victorian statutes before him.
"Not at all." "Then I shall, with profound regret--" Suddenly George Masson thrust his face forward near that of M.Fille, who did not draw back.
"You will inform the Court that the prisoner refuses to incriminate himself, eh ?" he interjected.
"No, monsieur, I will inform Monsieur Barbille of what I saw.

I will do this without delay.

It is the one thing left me to do." In quite a grand kind of way he stood up and bowed, as though to dismiss his visitor.
As George Masson did not move, the other went to the door and opened it.