Colonel Picquart.—“For months I have been in the most horrible situation that an officer can occupy,—assailed in my honor, and unable to defend myself. Tomorrow perhaps I shall be driven from this army that I love, and to which I have given twenty-five years of my life. That has not deterred me, remembering, as I did, that it was my duty to seek truth and justice. I have done it, thinking thereby to render a greater service to the army. I considered that I must do my duty as an honest man. That was what I had to say.”
M. Clemenceau.—“Did I understand Colonel Henry to say that, a few days after he saw the file on Colonel Picquart’s desk, he spoke of the matter to General Gonse?”
Colonel Henry.—“Perhaps two or three days after; I do not remember exactly.”
M. Clemenceau.—“How long after this conversation with General Gonse did Colonel Picquart leave the bureau?”
Colonel Henry.—“A week, I think.”
M. Clemenceau.—“Summing up the matter, we shall have the truth. The presence of M. Leblois at the war department” ...
The Judge.—“You are not asking questions now.”
M. Clemenceau.—“I wish to bring out the truth.”
The Judge.—“You can bring it out in your argument.”
M. Clemenceau.—“I wish to bring it out now. If you do not wish it, deprive me of the floor. I declare that I can bring out the truth by the testimony of witnesses.”