Part 68 (1/2)
Thereupon Dumoulin had sent for two men who, as orderlies at Chalons, had lived side by side with Vinson.
There was a momentous silence while Lieutenant Servin went to the end of the corridor and signed to the two waiting witnesses to come forward. The two men entered the commandant's office, facing Dumoulin in true military style.
Dumoulin, reading out the names of the two witnesses from a paper, started his interrogation with a haughty air.
”Hiloire?”
”Present, Commandant.”
”What is your name?”
The soldier opened his eyes wide, and thinking he had to give his Christian name, stammered:
”Justinien!”
”What?” growled the commandant: ”You are not called Hiloire?”
The bewildered man attempted some confused explanations, from which it could be gathered that Hiloire was his surname and Justinien his baptismal name!
”Good!” declared the commandant, who proceeded to question the second soldier as to his ident.i.ty! When it was made clear that he was one Tarbottin, baptismal name Niccodeme, the commandant questioned them together.
”You are soldiers of the second cla.s.s in the 213th of the line, and fulfil the functions of staff orderlies?”
”Yes, Commandant.”
”You know Corporal Vinson?”
”Yes, Commandant.”
Dumoulin pointed to Fandor.
”Is he Corporal Vinson?”
”Yes, Commandant,” repeated the two soldiers.
Lieutenant Servin intervened. He pointed out to his chief that the witnesses had replied in the affirmative without turning to look at the supposed corporal.
The commandant cried angrily:
”What kind of imbeciles are you? Before saying that you recognise a person you must begin by looking at that person! Look at the corporal!”
The two soldiers obeyed: they turned with precision and stared at Fandor.
”Is that man Corporal Vinson?”
”Yes, Commandant.”
”You are sure of that?”
”No, Commandant.”