General de Boisdeffre.—“The object of the mission was secret.”
M. Labori.—“Exactly. Was Colonel Picquart sent away in disgrace?”
General de Boisdeffre.—“I cannot say of any officer sent upon a mission that he was sent away in disgrace.”
M. Labori.—“Oh! everything that comes from a general’s mouth does not necessarily concern the national defence. General de Boisdeffre must tell us whether Colonel Picquart was sent away in disgrace or not.”
General de Boisdeffre.—“Colonel Picquart was in a state of mind that did not permit him to attend to his duties satisfactorily. He was absorbed by a single idea. The minister of war thought it wise to send him on a mission that would restore him to his normal state of mind.”
M. Labori.—“Will General de Boisdeffre tell us what idea it was that obsessed Colonel Picquart’s mind?”
General de Boisdeffre.—“I do not believe that I can answer that question, because I must not answer concerning the case” ...
Here the witness hesitated.
M. Labori.—“Concerning what case?”
General de Boisdeffre.—“The case of Dreyfus.”