The Judge.—“M. Gribelin was under Colonel Picquart’s orders.”
M. Labori.—“But what was Colonel Henry’s position?”
Colonel Henry.—“Major.”
M. Labori.—“Under whose orders?”
Colonel Henry.—“Under the orders of Colonel Picquart.”
M. Labori.—“The chief of the service was M. Picquart. Consequently, if I rightly understand, Colonel Picquart, who was at the head of the service, asked M. Gribelin, who was under his orders, like Major Henry himself, to give him, by opening the closet with the key,—that is, under the most natural conditions,—a file that was a part of Colonel Picquart’s service. Is that it?”
Colonel Henry.—“Exactly. If I had been present, I would have pointed out to Colonel Picquart that my instructions, given me by Colonel Sandherr, were to give this file to nobody, except in the presence of the sub-chief of staff, the chief of staff, and myself.”
The Judge.—“It was Colonel Sandherr who gave those orders. He is dead, I believe.”
Colonel Henry.—“He was sick and unconscious.”
M. Labori.—“Under these circumstances Colonel Sandherr had been replaced by Colonel Picquart. Does Colonel Henry invoke against Colonel Picquart, then his chief, instructions given him by a previous chief? Will Colonel Henry tell us who succeeded Colonel Picquart in the war offices?”