"Ask me anything. Honestly, you understand my life better than I do." Edmond said sincerely.
"First, who interrogated you? The chief prosecutor, his deputy, or a magistrate?" The priest asked.
"The deputy prosecutor."
"Was he young or old?"
"About twenty-six or twenty-seven, I'd guess."
"So, old enough to be ambitious, but too young to be corrupt. How did he treat you?"
"More gently than harshly."
"Did you tell him everything?"
"Yes."
"Did his behavior change during the interrogation?"
"He seemed very disturbed when he read the letter that got me into this mess. He appeared genuinely upset by my situation."
"By your situation?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure he was upset about your misfortune?"
"He gave me clear proof of his sympathy."
"Which was?"
"He burned the only evidence that could have incriminated me."
"What? The accusation?"
"No, the letter."
"Are you certain?"
"I saw him do it."
