I should consider myself guilty of high treason if I uttered another word." Some persons known for their political experience, among others M.
Bigourd, considered the evidence of the Minister of War as abler and of greater weight than that of his Chief of Staff.
The evidence of Colonel de Boisjoli made a great impression.
"One evening at the Ministry of War," said that officer, "the attache of a neighbouring Power told me that while visiting his sovereign's stables he had once admired some soft and fragrant hay, of a pretty green colour, the finest hay he had ever seen! 'Where did it come from ?' I asked him.

He did not answer, but there seemed to me no doubt about its origin.

It was the hay Pyrot had stolen.

Those qualities of verdure, softness, and aroma, are those of our national hay.

The forage of the neighbouring Power is grey and brittle; it sounds under the fork and smells of dust.