yards broad."

At this revelation the audience shuddered with horror.

Greatauk came to give evidence in his turn. Simpler, and perhaps
greater, he wore a grey tunic and held his hands joined behind his back.

"I leave," said he calmly and in a slightly raised voice, "I leave to M.
Colomban the responsibility for an act that has brought our country
to the brink of ruin. The Pyrot affair is secret; it ought to remain
secret. If it were divulged the cruelest ills, wars, pillages,
depredations, fires, massacres, and epidemics would immediately burst
upon Penguinia. I should consider myself guilty of high treason if I
uttered another word."

Some persons known for their political experience, among others M.
Bigourd, considered the evidence of the Minister of War as abler and of
greater weight than that of his Chief of Staff.

The evidence of Colonel de Boisjoli made a great impression.

"One evening at the Ministry of War," said that officer, "the attache of
a neighbouring Power told me that while visiting his sovereign's stables
he had once admired some soft and fragrant hay, of a pretty green
colour, the finest hay he had ever seen! 'Where did it come from?' I
asked him. He did not answer, but there seemed to me no doubt about its
origin. It was the hay Pyrot had stolen. Those qualities of verdure,
softness, and aroma, are those of our national hay. The forage of the
neighbouring Power is grey and brittle; it sounds under the fork and
smells of dust. One can draw one own conclusions."

Lieutenant-Colonel Hastaing said in the witness-box, amid hisses, that
he did not believe Pyrot guilty. He was immediately seized by the police
and thrown into the bottom of a dungeon where, amid vipers, toads, and
broken glass, he remained insensible both to promises and threats.

The usher called:

"Count Pierre Maubec de la Dentdulynx."

There was deep silence, and a stately but ill-dressed nobleman, whose
moustaches pointed to the skies and whose dark eyes shot forth flashing
glances, was seen advancing toward the witness-box.

He approached Colomban and casting upon him a look of ineffable disdain:

"My evidence," said he, "here it is: you excrement!"

At these words the entire hall burst into enthusiastic applause and
jumped up, moved by one of those transports that stir men's hearts and
rouse them to extraordinary actions. Without another word Count Maubec
de la Dentdulynx withdrew.

All those present left the Court a