"He is, therefore, the best judge." Blondel reddened.

"I see you are determined to lay the responsibility on me," he cried.
"The responsibility is on you already!" Petitot retorted.

"You have decided.

I trust it may turn out as you expect." "And as you do not expect!" "No; but you see"-- and again the Inquisitor looked over his glasses--"you know the man, have been to his lodging, have conversed with him, and are the best judge what he is! I have had naught to do with him.

By the way," he turned to Fabri, "he is at Mere Royaume's, is he not?
Is there not a Spaniard of the name of Grio lodging there ?" Blondel did not answer and the secretary looked up from his register.
"An old soldier, Messer Petitot ?" he said.