One can draw one own conclusions." Lieutenant-Colonel Hastaing said in the witness-box, amid hisses, that he did not believe Pyrot guilty.

He was immediately seized by the police and thrown into the bottom of a dungeon where, amid vipers, toads, and broken glass, he remained insensible both to promises and threats.
The usher called: "Count Pierre Maubec de la Dentdulynx." There was deep silence, and a stately but ill-dressed nobleman, whose moustaches pointed to the skies and whose dark eyes shot forth flashing glances, was seen advancing toward the witness-box.
He approached Colomban and casting upon him a look of ineffable disdain: "My evidence," said he, "here it is: you excrement!" At these words the entire hall burst into enthusiastic applause and jumped up, moved by one of those transports that stir men's hearts and rouse them to extraordinary actions.

Without another word Count Maubec de la Dentdulynx withdrew.
All those present left the Court and formed a procession behind him.
Prostrate at his feet, Princess des Boscenos held his legs in a close embrace, but he went on, stern and impassive, beneath a shower of handkerchiefs and flowers.

Viscountess Olive, clinging to his neck, could not be removed, and the calm hero bore her along with him, floating on his breast like a light scarf.
When the court resumed its sitting, which it had been compelled to suspend, the President called the experts.
Vermillard, the famous expert in handwriting, gave the results of his researches.
"Having carefully studied," said he, "the papers found in Pyrot's house, in particular his account book and his laundry books, I noticed that, though apparently not out of the common, they formed an impenetrable cryptogram, the key to which, however, I discovered.

The traitor's infamy is to be seen in every line.