Nevertheless, he was very glad to find himself in the private office of Monsieur Lousteau-Prangin.
"I need hardly tell you, gentlemen, that I am innocent," said Joseph, addressing Monsieur Mouilleron, Monsieur Lousteau-Prangin, and the clerk.

"I can only beg you to assist me in proving my innocence.

I know nothing of this affair." When the judge had stated all the suspicious facts which were against him, ending with Max's declaration, Joseph was astounded.
"But," said he, "it was past five o'clock when I left the house.

I went up the Grande rue, and at half-past five I was standing looking up at the facade of the parish church of Saint-Cyr.

I talked there with the sexton, who came to ring the angelus, and asked him for information about the building, which seems to me fantastic and incomplete.