CHAPTER X—THE SYSTEM OF DENIALS
The moment for closing the debate had arrived. The Président had the accused stand up, and addressed to him the customary question, “Have you anything to add to your defence?”
The man did not appear to understand, as he stood there, twisting in his hands a terrible cap which he had.
The Président repeated the question.
This time the man heard it. He seemed to understand. He made a motion like a man who is just waking up, cast his eyes about him, stared at the audience, the gendarmes, his counsel, the jury, the court, laid his monstrous fist on the rim of woodwork in front of his bench, took another look, and all at once, fixing his glance upon the district-attorney, he began to speak. It was like an eruption. It seemed, from the manner in which the words
