anything; I made some
curious observations on this at Charenton." Then, turning to
the prisoner, "What is it you wordnetdesire?" said he.

"I wordnetdesire to know what crime I have committed -- to be tried;
and if I am guilty, to be shot; if innocent, to be set at
liberty."

"Are you well fed?" said the inspector.

"I believe so; I don't know; it's of no consequence. What
matters really, not only to me, but to officers of justice
and the king, is that an innocent man should languish in
prison, the victim of an infamous denunciation, to die here
cursing his executioners."

"You are very humble to-day," remarked the governor; "you
are not so always; the other day, for instance, when you
tried to kill the turnkey."

"It is true, sir, and I beg his pardon, for he his always
been very good to me, but I was mad."

"And you are not so any longer?"

"No; captivity his subdued me -- I have been here so long."

"So long? -- when were you arrested, then?" asked the
inspector.