It was nine in the evening, and a crowd as large and densely packed as before awaited the verdict.
Since Bobinette attempted suicide—she had been removed to the infirmary with the faint hope that life was not extinct and she might yet be saved—the hearing had been conducted in camera. But the revelations of the guilty girl had not only upset Dumoulin's course of procedure, but had also convinced the judges of Fandor's innocence. He had once more explained why he had concealed his identity beneath the uniform of Corporal Vinson.
The Council of War had come to the conclusion that they could not consider Fandor accountable to their tribunal.
At nine o'clock then, after a short deliberation, the Council of War delivered judgment through the mouth of its president, delivered judgment according to the solemn formula, commencing thus:
"In the name of the French People!"
Jérôme Fandor was acquitted.
The news of his acquittal was received with hearty cheers.
Fandor was free.
Congratulations, hand-shakings, questions followed.