The audience on the whole was favourably disposed towards this well-known contributor to La Capitale. They knew that on many occasions this well-informed journalist had rendered immense services to honest folk and to society in general by placing his intelligence and energy at the service of every good cause.
Then there was one strong indisputable point in his favour. Though he had escaped from prison with the help of an unknown person, he had returned, had given himself up, declaring he would not leave the Council of War except by the big door with head held high, his innocence established.
The president announced:
"We shall now call the names of the witnesses."
There was silence in the court-room while a sergeant who filled the office of crier to the court, read out the names from a list in his hands. The call-over lasted ten minutes. Most of the witnesses were officers and men belonging to the garrisons of Verdun and Châlons.
Among these witnesses as they defiled before the tribunal Fandor recognised some whose faces were graven on his memory during his brief sojourn in the Saint Benoit barracks.
The first call resounded through the court-room:
"Inspector Juve!"
Juve approached the tribunal, proved he was present, then, in conformity with the law, left the court-room, as did the other witnesses called.
The presence of Juve reassured and comforted Fandor. Had not Juve said to him: