M. Clemenceau.—“Then what General de Pellieux told us he got from Major Esterhazy.”
Colonel Picquart admitted that one of his agents had entered Esterhazy’s premises, which were to let.
The Judge.—“This agent had no legal warrant.”
Colonel Picquart.—“No, but he entered the apartment by lawful means.”
M. Clemenceau.—“He did not enter as a robber.”
M. Labori.—“No equivocations. I ask General de Pellieux whether he thinks it possible to ask the chief of the bureau of information belonging to the French war department to keep a watch on spies in the interest of the national defence without giving him the right, if he is an honorable officer above suspicion, to make an investigation?”
General de Pellieux.—“I think he has the right.”
M. Labori.—“The reply is satisfactory.”
General de Pellieux.—“But I add that I do not admit his right to do so without a legal warrant.”
M. Clemenceau.—“I ask General de Pellieux, who knows the law, and who can explain whether a search is legal, if the search of Colonel Picquart’s premises was illegal.”