"Monsieur the president, I have the honour to request an immediate hearing for this witness.... It is your absolute right, Monsieur the president: you have full discretionary powers."
"And if I oppose it?" growled the commandant behind his desk, with a vicious glance at the defender of his adversary.
Maître Durul-Burton replied with calm dignity:
"If you oppose it, Monsieur the commissaire, I shall have the honour of immediately deposing on the bureau of this tribunal conclusive evidence which will bring this sitting to a close forthwith."
An animated discussion ensued between the members of the council. It resulted in the colonel's announcement:
"We will hear this witness."
He addressed Bobinette:
"You are allowed to speak, mademoiselle. Swear then to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Raise your right hand and say: 'I swear it!'"
With a certain dignity Bobinette obeyed.