“Let it be, on the contrary, established that Cocoleu really knows what
he says, and all is changed. The prosecution is justified, by an opinion
of the faculty, in saying to M. de Boiscoran, ‘You need not deny any
longer. You have been seen; here is a witness.’”
These arguments must have struck Dr. Seignebos very forcibly; for
he remained silent for at least ten long seconds, wiping his gold
spectacles with a pensive air. Had he really done harm to Jacques de
Boiscoran, while he meant to help him? But he was not the man to be long
in doubt. He replied in a dry tone,--
“I will not discuss that, gentlemen. I will ask you, only one question:
‘Yes or no, do you believe in M. de Boiscoran’s innocence?’”
“We believe in it fully,” replied the two men.
“Then, gentlemen, it seems to me we are running no risk in trying to
unmask an impostor.”
That was not the young lawyer’s opinion.
“To prove that Cocoleu knows what he says,” he replied, “would be fatal,
unless we can prove at the same time that he has told a falsehood, and
that his evidence has been prompted by others. Can we prove that?
Have we any means to prove that his obstinacy in not replying to any
questions arises from his fear that his answers might convict him of
perjury?”