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I am told the presiding judge has already arrived, and M. Gransiere has engaged rooms at the hotel. What do you mean to do if nothing new occurs in the meantime?" "M. Magloire and I will obstinately adhere to our plan of defence." "And if Count Claudieuse keeps his promise, and declares that he recognized Jacques in the act of firing at him?" "We shall say he is mistaken."
M. Daubigeon smiled sarcastically, and said, much more for the purpose of teasing his visitor than because he believed it himself, "Take care! do not trust appearances. You have to do with very clever people. I always told you Cocoleu is probably the mainspring of the whole case. The very fact that M. Gransiere will speak ought to make you tremble.
They lodged at the Hotel de France, where they took their meals in common in the large back dining-room, which is always specially reserved for their use. In the afternoon one might see them, looking grave and thoughtful, take a walk on the New-Market Square, or on the old ramparts. M. Gransiere, also, had arrived.
Now, what would happen in such a case? M. Gransiere, no doubt, would hold him responsible. He would say, "I had to draw my arguments from your part of the work. I did not obtain a condemnation, because your work was imperfect. A man like myself ought not to be exposed to such an humiliation, and, least of all, in a case which is sure to create an immense sensation.
Yet thou and I, having wisdom thrust upon us by these same beards, if trouble come to thee, or too soon they put thee at the gransiere service, we will remember this day passed together." "Eccellenza, thanks; the gransiere has not much beside his beard to keep him warm, and the time draws near," the old man answered with pleasant Venetian insouciance.
I might, in speaking of M. Galpin, be found to be wanting in moderation. A low murmur accompanies this reply made by the accused. P. Such murmurs are improper, and I remind the audience of the respect due to the court. M. Gransiere, the prosecuting attorney, rises, "We cannot tolerate such recriminations against a magistrate who has done his duty nobly, and in spite of the pain it caused him.
At last, a few minutes after nine o'clock, the jury reappears. Jacques de Boiscoran is declared guilty, and, on the score of extenuating circumstances, sentenced to twenty years' penal labor. Thus M. Galpin triumphed, and M. Gransiere had reason to be proud of his eloquence. Jacques de Boiscoran had been found guilty.
Henceforth Jacques's innocence was as clear as daylight; and although he had to bear the burden of his sentence till the judgment was declared void, it was decided, with the consent of the president of the court, M. Domini, and the active cooperation of M. Gransiere, that he should be set free that same evening.
"You would if you knew who will plead." "Oh!" "The prosecution will employ M. Gransiere!" "Oh, oh!" "You will not deny that he is a first-class man?" The magistrate was evidently becoming angry; his ears reddened up; and in the same proportion M. Daubigeon regained his calmness. "God forbid that I should deny M. Gransiere's eloquence. He is a powerful speaker, and rarely misses his man.
"Day before yesterday he did not look upon me as the cause of a great misfortune for him." M. Mechinet went on quite eagerly, "After leaving M. Gransiere, I went to the court-house, and there I head the great piece of news which has set all the town agog. Count Claudieuse is dead." M. Daubigeon and M. Galpin looked at each other, and exclaimed in the same breath, "Great God! Is that so?"
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