We had a long discussion about it, which resulted in our
coming to the conclusion that the proper form would be 'Marie
Antoinette of France.' So I practised this several times, and
finally wrote it on the promissory note."
"He lies!" cried the countess, stamping on the floor. "He is a born
liar and slanderer."
"I am prepared to show the proof at once that I speak the truth,"
said Retaux de Vilette. "If you will give me writing-materials I
will write the signature of the queen in the manner in which it is
written on the promissory note."
The president gave the order for the requisite articles to be
brought and laid on a side-table. Retaux took the pen, and with a
rapid hand wrote some words, which he gave to the officer to be
carried to the president.
The latter took the paper and compared it with the words which were
written on the promissory note. He then passed the two to the
attorney-general, and he to the judge next to him. The papers passed
from hand to hand, and, after they came back to the president again,
he rose from his seat:
"I believe that the characters on this paper precisely accord with
those on the note. The witness has given what seems to me
irrefutable testimony that he was the writer of that signature, as
well as of the letters to the cardinal. He was the culpable
instrument of the criminal Lamotte-Valois.
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