General Gonse was succeeded at the witness-stand by Major Lauth, Colonel Picquart’s subordinate in the bureau of information.
M. Labori.—“Is it true, as Major Ravary declares in his report on the Esterhazy case, that Colonel Picquart kept for a month a card-telegram addressed to Major Esterhazy, instead of immediately communicating it to Major Lauth?”
Major Lauth.—“Not quite. Colonel Picquart kept the card only a week. Then he asked me to photograph it, and remove all evidence of tear. He also insisted that I should certify to the handwriting. ‘Never in my life,’ said I; ‘this writing is utterly unknown to me.’ Colonel Picquart tried to make me say that it came from a personage whom I cannot designate, but from whom we had more than twenty letters. I refused. At that time it did not occur to me that Colonel Picquart wanted to make me an accomplice in a forgery. Nevertheless there was an animated scene between us, and some of our remarks were heard by my comrades through the partition.”
M. Labori.—“And now your interpretation is different?”
Major Lauth.—“It is certain that Colonel Picquart wanted me to certify a handwriting that I did not know.”
M. Labori.—“None the less you remained Colonel Picquart’s friend?”
Major Lauth.—“I was under his orders.”
M. Labori.—“You have dined at his house?”
Major Lauth.—“And he has dined at mine. I could not turn my back on him for a thing like that.”
M. Labori.—“When did you photograph Major Esterhazy’s handwriting?”