As soon as Marthe had left the farm, the forester went there to find out what she asked for.
Six days later, Marthe, determined to be prudent, went at midnight with her provisions so as to avoid the keepers who were evidently patrolling the forest.

After carrying a third supply to the senator she suddenly became terrified on hearing the abbe read aloud the public examination of the prisoners,--for the trial was by that time begun.

She took the abbe aside, and after obliging him to swear that he would keep the secret she was about to reveal as though it was said to him in the confessional, she showed him the fragments of Michu's letter, told him the contents of it, and also the secret of the hiding-place where the senator then was.
The abbe at once inquired if she had other letters from her husband that he might compare the writing.

Marthe went to her home to fetch them and there found a summons to appear in court.

By the time she returned to the chateau the abbe and his sister had received a similar summons on behalf of the defence.