I always believed in the truth of his deposition before the judge.

The gendarme whom he brought down with a bullet, while he was out shooting, was no doubt taking aim at him at the time.

A man must defend himself! At all events Chantegreil was a decent fellow; he committed no robbery." As often happens in such cases, the testimony of this poacher sufficed to bring other defenders to Miette's aid.

Several workmen also professed to have known Chantegreil.
"Yes, yes, it's true!" they all said.

"He wasn't a thief.