he would not let me." She stopped, as if having lost the thread,

"Well, what then? I remained a bit, and went home again."

At this moment the public prosecutor raised himself a little,

leaning on one elbow in an awkward manner.

"You would like to put a question?" said the president, and

having received an answer in the affirmative, he made a gesture

inviting the public prosecutor to speak.

"I want to ask, was the prisoner previously acquainted with