M. Scheurer-Kestner.--“I greatly regret that I cannot read these
letters. I regret it from the standpoint of the manifestation of
truth. I considered this reading indispensable, but I see that it is
forbidden. Since, however, I am authorized to say what they contain, I
will do so in a manner necessarily incomplete, but sufficient perhaps
to enlighten the jurors.”
M. Scheurer-Kestner then repeated the substance of the letters, but, as
the full text of the letters was printed in “L’Aurore” of the following
day, February 9, they are given here in place of the description of
them made to the jury by M. Scheurer-Kestner, although legally the full
text of the letters forms no part of the evidence placed before the
jury.
CORMEILLES-EN-PARISIS (SEINE-ET-OISE),
SEPTEMBER 7, 1896.
_My dear Picquart_:
I have received your letter of the 5th, and, after reflecting upon
all that you say. I hasten to tell you that it seems to me useful
to proceed in this matter with great prudence, distrusting first
impressions. The thing necessary now is to determine the nature of
the documents.[1] How could they have been copied? What requests for
information have been preferred by third parties? You may say that in
this order of ideas it is rather difficult to reach a result without
making some stir. I admit it. But in my opinion it is the best way
of making sure progress. To the continuation of the inquiry from
the standpoint of the handwritings[2] there is the grave objection
that it compels us to take new people into our confidence under bad
conditions, and it seems to me better to wait until we are more firmly
settled in our opinions before going further in this rather delicate
path. I return September 15, and we can better discuss an affair of
this nature in conversation. But my feeling is that it is necessary to
proceed with extreme prudence. I shake your hand most affectionately,
my dear Picquart. Devotedly yours,