A loud murmur of sympathy and satisfaction ran through the Court, and the prisoner was rewarded for all his sufferings by one glad and loving glance from Marguerite de Peyrelade. Her mind was now relieved of every doubt; and, indeed, with the exception of the lawyers, there was not a soul in the hall who doubted his innocence.
When the murmur had subsided, more witnesses were called.
Antoine Guinot and Elie Blainval, two gendarmes, next gave evidence.
Lieut. of Police. "Antoine Guinot—you went by my orders to inspect the roads among the mountains."
A. Guinot. "Yes, M. le Lieutenant."
Lieut. "Did you there discover the body of a dead wolf, or any signs of blood on the snow?"
A. Guinot. "No, M. le Lieutenant."
Lieut. "Did you thoroughly search the Val du Rocher Rouge?"
A. Guinot. "Yes, Monsieur. There was no dead wolf to be seen in any part. Snow had been falling for two days and nights before we got there, so there would have been nothing but the carcase of the beast to guide us; but there was no such carcase anywhere about."
Elie Blainval was next examined. Went with the last witness. Saw no carcase. Snow was deep on the ground, and of course no stains or other marks could be distinguished. Would swear there was no dead wolf anywhere on the mountain roads. Corroborated the statement of his companion in every particular.