Let us adjure him, in the name of the God before whom he must perhaps appear, to speak the truth.

I will take him for judge in his own cause, monsieur, and will believe what he will say." M.de la Tremouille reflected for an instant; then as it was difficult to suggest a more reasonable proposal, he agreed to it.
Both descended to the chamber in which the wounded man lay.

The latter, on seeing these two noble lords who came to visit him, endeavored to raise himself up in his bed; but he was too weak, and exhausted by the effort, he fell back again almost senseless.
M.de la Tremouille approached him, and made him inhale some salts, which recalled him to life.

Then M.de Treville, unwilling that it should be thought that he had influenced the wounded man, requested M.
de la Tremouille to interrogate him himself.
That happened which M.de Treville had foreseen.

Placed between life and death, as Bernajoux was, he had no idea for a moment of concealing the truth; and he described to the two nobles the affair exactly as it had passed.
This was all that M.de Treville wanted.