The accusation was laconic. The judgment was still less prolix. It was a simple sign.
The bill of indictment having been examined, the judges having been consulted, the colonel took a pen, and put at the end of the accusing line one of three signs:—
- + o
- signified consignment to Lambessa.
+ signified transportation to Cayenne. (The dry guillotine. Death.)
o signified acquittal.
While this justice was at work, the man on whose case they were working was sometimes still at liberty, he was going and coming at his ease; suddenly they arrested him, and without knowing what they wanted with him, he left for Lambessa or for Cayenne.
His family was often ignorant of what had become of him.
People asked of a wife, of a sister, of a daughter, of a mother,—
"Where is your husband?"
"Where is your brother?"
"Where is your father?"
"Where is your son?"