But Granoux, who was opening his mouth wide with a violent itching to say something, shouted: "No, no, that isn't right.

You were not in a position to see things, my friend; you were fighting like a lion.

But I saw everything, while I was helping to bind one of the prisoners.

The man tried to murder you; it was he who fired the gun; I saw him distinctly slip his black fingers under your arm." "Really ?" said Rougon, turning quite pale.
He did not know he had been in such danger, and the old almond merchant's account of the incident chilled him with fright.

Granoux, as a rule, did not lie; but, on a day of battle, it is surely allowable to view things dramatically.
"I tell you the man tried to murder you," he repeated, with conviction.
"Ah," said Rougon in a faint voice, "that's how it is I heard the bullet whiz past my ear!" At this, violent emotion came upon the audience.