Granville's estate

"Mr. de Granville, on the contract in Mr. Bernard's hands, the names of you and Sologne Grostedt were signed respectively. The latter has absconded, and all the existing evidence and witnesses can identify him. There was a crime. Do you think that when you go to court, the judge will believe that you really didn't know about it?"

Officer Claremont said this in a questioning tone, but anyone who is the same as a tax officer, a city magistrate, or a judicial officer in a court—or even bluntly, any official in any position is the same, as long as they hold A little bit of power - anyone who has dealt with it will understand what is meant by such a tone.

For Louis, this day of Brumaire was the darkest day since he came to Paris. Sologne shamelessly took advantage of his friend's trust and committed the crime of deceiving the world. Such a person should be arrested and hanged On the pillar, to pay for his crime; but because of Sologne's escape, the police officers and judges in Paris want to make Alred suffer the consequences of a crime he doesn't even know!

He couldn't imagine how much the old man would be hit if Earl Fernand knew about it—when he asked Louis to go to Paris to dissuade Alred, the earl thought that the worst result would be that Alred All his money was squandered, which led to the irreversible decline of the family, but he never thought that his children might face prison!Think about it, an heir with high hopes from a noble family is accused of being a fraud to deceive the world, and he will go to court to be tried by a judge and even be found guilty. What a hopeless reality for Earl Fernand , How far will his proud family honor and reputation be destroyed!

"Mr. Police Officer," Louis couldn't accept such a terrible statement and possible consequences at all. He eagerly walked up to Officer Clermont to defend his friend: "Sir, my friend really did not participate in Sologne Gross. Tate's criminal behavior, he has always been an upright and honest man, and it is absolutely impossible to join the criminals. If you don't believe it, you can ask the workers in the dye house and others, so you will know that they even I can't tell what my friend looks like."

"what!"

For Louis's defense, Officer Claremont hadn't spoken yet, but Jacques Bernard let out a malicious ridicule from his throat.

"Mr. Farentin, when your friend signed a contract with me to sell me his fake tea, he also swore in the same way!"

As Bernard said, he reached out and tapped the boiserie on the wall of the living room with its beautiful vine-grained wallpaper: "Look, look! What a luxurious life this Count lives! These beautiful The wallpaper and the wainscoting, these expensive pieces of furniture and velvet coverings, and these dainty and lovely bric-a-brac! Poor old Jacques had to think very carefully about buying a roll of this wallpaper for his dear little granddaughter, He can fill the living room with them!"

While uttering these slanderous remarks, Bernard picked up from the table a fine porcelain figurine, which served as a decoration, and played with it in his hands, then suddenly threw it on the ground, and pointed at Arlais. De roared: "Who would have thought that such a luxurious life was bought by fraud and deceit, and by using other people's blood and bones! It's outrageous that an earl, a nobleman, would rely on defrauding a small Merchant's money to keep him decent!"

"Monsieur Jacques Bernard!"

"Ah, why, did I say something wrong? Mr. Police Officer, please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to be disrespectful to the nobles and the king. I have always respected and admired the nobles. This is what I am willing to share with you. The reason why Monsieur de Granville signed the contract, but this gentleman has betrayed my confidence in him."

"However, gentlemen, even if Mr. de Granville is a noble person, I have to seek justice for myself! I have in my hand the paperwork signed by this gentleman, including Grossett. The copy that No. 150 took away, Mr. Inspector, if you go to Mr. de Granville's study now, you will definitely be able to find the same third copy-this is the most powerful thing that the judge will see at that time. Mr. de Granville, don't think that you can run away like that liar, let alone think that you will be fine if you are a nobleman. The era of being amnesty as long as you have a noble status is over. Yes! Yes, if it was 100 years ago, the king's pardon would have saved the nobles from paying their debts, and also saved you from standing in court, but now this way, you can't do it , even if your father is an earl!"

Like a debtor visiting his property, Bernard said these words as he walked about the house, opening the doors to the dining room, pantry, and kitchen, judging The value of a lot of furniture and tableware; and for his extremely rude behavior, Father Tongsar didn't even dare to stop him, but Joseph was unconvinced and wanted to stop him from opening one of the storage rooms ("That's my Where my sister lives!"), Bernard grabbed the door and pushed it to the ground.

While Bernard was doing this, the real owner of the house sank himself deeply in the armchair, lowered his head slightly, closed his eyes as if in thought, and said nothing, neither refuting Bernard. Nader's words didn't stop him from being rude.

Louis was so anxious that his heart almost jumped out, he repeatedly assured Inspector Clermont of his friend's character, but Inspector Guillonet du Clermont, although willing to listen to his excuses, did not soften his attitude in the slightest.

It wasn't until Jacques Bernard "inspected" the entire first floor and walked back to the living room that Alred raised his head. In just one hour, this young man who was originally high-spirited suffered from him. The biggest betrayal in his life, he seems to be physically and mentally exhausted, and he can't stand the blow anymore.

"Monsieur Du Clermont."

Allred told the officer, even though his face was pale and haggard, his tone was gentle and respectful: "It was because of my recklessness and credulity that I was deceived and betrayed by Sologne Grostedt , to be framed by him to this point. I am too young to know how to deal with this kind of thing, but I believe you are a fair, kind and well-informed police officer, and my father certainly wants me to I can seek your protection, so I sincerely ask you to give me the correct guidance."

Hearing these words, Jacques Bernard put his hands on his hips and sneered again and again; while Police Officer Clermont looked at Alred, his gray-blue eyes did not let go of his slightest expression as if he was examining a prisoner , judging the truth of what he said.

"Monsieur de Granville, is that what you really think?"

"Yes, sir, I ask for your guidance and instruction."

Facing that sharp gaze, Alred lowered his eyes slightly, avoiding the eye contact with the police officer.

"Then, M. de Granville, the matter has not yet reached the point of no return for you and your family."

After what seemed to be hours of long silence, Inspector Clermont spoke, as if inadvertently, drawing his right hand from his coat pocket without bringing out anything else: "Your father, Fernand Mr. Count de Granville has a good reputation, and I believe you have a commendable character under his teaching. Similarly, I don't want to see a noble family with a long history because of the deception of a criminal. The honor of my country is so easily destroyed. That is why I have brought Monsieur Jacques Bernard to you, otherwise you and your friends would now be looking at the arresters."

"I am very grateful for your generosity, sir."

Officer Claremont made a gesture.

"However, Mr. de Granville, you must know that it is useless to persuade me. If you want to solve the problem once and for all, you must start from the root of the problem."

Alred took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

"I trust your judgment and ask for your advice, Mr. Inspector."

"The crux of the matter lies in Mr. Bernard, or rather, in Mr. Bernard's possession of the two deeds signed by you and Sologne Grostedt. If these two documents appear before the jury , things would get so dire that the jury would think you and Grostedt were complicit whether or not you had any part in it; only Grossetter, you will not be affected in any way. Yes, gentlemen, the world is so shallow that they can only see the surface and cannot tell the eddies hidden under the surface, but if you want to The best way to avoid criticism is to never show up."

"So now, how to deal with those two documents depends on whether you and Mr. Bernard can reach a mutual agreement—Mr. Bernard, what do you mean?"

Bernard snorted.

"Mr. Police Officer, to be honest, old Jacques is still very angry. In the decades since I have been in business, I have never encountered such a bad thing today." He said, but in the next second, he changed the topic: "But For your sake, I will make a concession to return the deeds to M. de Granville, so that the honor of his family will be honored, if he will pay me for the damage I have suffered in this deception. will be affected."

"So, Mr. Bernard, how much money have you lost in this fake tea business?"

"One hundred and fifty thousand francs, Monsieur Constable, M. de Granville must pay me this sum, otherwise old Jacques will not rest."