de Bussy, on
being told that they were climbing over the wall into his garden,
seizes a gun and takes aim, but does not fire, and then, the
requisition being legal, throws all open to them. There are found in
the house six green coats, seven dozens of large buttons, and
fifteen dozens of small ones. The proof is manifest. He explains
what his project was and states his motive - it is a mere pretext.
He makes a sign, as an order, to his valet - there is a positive
complicity. M. de Bussy, his six guests, and the valet, are
arrested and transported to Ma?on. A trial takes place, with
depositions and interrogatories, in which the truth is elicited in
spite of the most adverse testimony; it is clear that M. de Bussy
never intended to do more than defend himself. - But prejudice is
a blindfold to hostile eyes. It cannot be admitted that, under a
constitution which is perfect, an innocent man could incur danger;
the objection is made to him that "it is not natural for an armed
company to be formed to resist a massacre by which it is not menaced
;" they are convinced beforehand that he is guilty.
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