“You know this document. We can speak of it. It has been referred to in an official document which has been published—the report of Major Ravary. It is the famous document that Colonel Henry and M. Gribelin claim to have seen between Colonel Picquart and M. Leblois. But it is a distorted document, and the author of this article, convinced that he would thus fix public opinion forever, did not fear to write: ‘That scoundrel Dreyfus,’ spelling the name out, when really the name Dreyfus does not appear in the document. I come to the end of the article.
As soon as the file of documents had been delivered to the military prosecuting officer, the examination began—an absolutely secret examination. Dreyfus, who had again become master of himself....
“Yes, again become master of himself, because somewhere in the article—and this is another lie—it is said that he had made confessions.
Dreyfus, who had again become master of himself, persisted throughout the trial, in spite of the overwhelming charges, in protesting his innocence. It is true that Dreyfus did not know, and perhaps does not yet know, that the minister of war was in possession of a photograph of the letter exchanged between the German and Italian military attachés, the only document in which his name appeared. The letter which he had written, and which he had been careful not to sign, could be only a moral element in the case.
“The reference here is to the bordereau.
In fact, though two of the experts in handwriting, Charavay and Bertillon, declared that it was Dreyfus, the three others were in doubt. But there was one proof that did not admit of doubt,—the document in which Dreyfus was named. This document could settle the opinion of the court, and it was important that the traitor should not escape his punishment. But this so serious document was essentially confidential. The minister of war could not give it up in the absence of a demand from the courts. It was necessary, then, for a search to be made in the war department itself. It took place, but, in order to save the agent of the government from having to go through so many secret files, it was so placed as to be the first to come under his hand. It was stipulated, nevertheless, that, though thus regularly seized, it should not be put in as evidence. Therefore it was communicated to the judges alone in the consultation chamber. An irrefutable proof, it settled all doubts in the minds of the members of the council. They were unanimous in their decision as to the prisoner’s guilt, and as to the punishment to be inflicted upon him.
“Such is the article, in substance. Three days after its appearance, M. Demange, counsel of Dreyfus, meeting his old friend Salle, was greeted thus:
“‘Ah! my good Demange, I am very glad to see you. I am very glad to relieve myself of a secret that is on my conscience.’
“‘What do you mean?’ said Demange.
“‘Well, since it is published, I can tell you.’