An Officer and a Spy

discovered the real traitor, Esterhazy, more than twenty months ago, and how Boisdeffre and especially Billot were initially supportive of my inquiry, but then how completely they changed their view when they realised it would mean reopening the Dreyfus case. I recount my exile to Tunisia, the General Staff’s attempt to send me on a suicide mission, and the way they are using the forgeries and false testimony presented to General Pellieux’s inquiry to frame me just as they framed Dreyfus. ‘We have arrived at the ludicrous position, gentlemen, of the army being so determined to keep an innocent man imprisoned that they are actively helping the guilty man to evade punishment, and are perfectly willing to put me out of the way too – for good, if necessary.’
    Zola says, ‘It’s fantastical! The most astonishing story there has ever been.’
    Ranc says, ‘It makes one ashamed to be French.’
    Clemenceau, who is also taking notes, says, without looking up, ‘So who are the senior members of the military hierarchy most culpable, Colonel Picquart, in your opinion?’
    ‘Among the senior ranks I would pick out the five generals: Mercier, Boisdeffre, Gonse, Billot and now Pellieux, who is running a cover-up disguised as an inquiry.’
    Mathieu Dreyfus interjects, ‘And what do you think will happen to you now, Colonel?’
    I light a cigarette. ‘I would imagine,’ I say, twirling the match and extinguishing it with as much nonchalance as I can summon, ‘that after Esterhazy is formally cleared of all charges, they will discharge me from the army and put me in prison.’
    There is a muttering of disbelief around the table. Clemenceau says, ‘But surely even the General Staff wouldn’t be that stupid?’
    ‘I fear they’ve trapped themselves in a position where their logic doesn’t leave them much alternative. If Esterhazy is innocent – as they are determined to find him, in order to avoid reopening the Dreyfus case – then it follows that the campaign against him is a wicked conspiracy; and as I am the one ultimately responsible for that campaign, I must be punished.’
    Reinach says, ‘So what is it you would like us to do, Colonel?’
    ‘That is not really for me to say. I’ve told you as much as I can, without disclosing national secrets. I can’t write an article or publish a book myself – I’m still subject to army discipline. What I do believe is that somehow this affair must be taken out of the jurisdiction of the military and elevated to a higher plane – the details need to be assembled into a coherent narrative, so that everything can be seen for the first time in its proper proportions.’ I nod to the Renoir and then glance at Zola. ‘Reality must be transformed into a work of art, if you will.’
    ‘It already is a work of art, Colonel,’ he replies. ‘All that is required is an angle of attack.’
    Before the hour is up, I stub out my cigarette and rise to my feet. ‘Excuse me, gentlemen, but I should be the first to leave. It would be better if everyone departed at intervals, perhaps of ten minutes? Please don’t get up.’ I turn to Charpentier: ‘Is there a back way out of the house?’
    ‘Yes,’ he says, ‘there’s a garden gate. You can get down to it through the kitchen. I’ll take you myself.’
    ‘I’ll fetch your things,’ says Louis.
    I make my way round the dining room shaking the hand of each man in turn. Mathieu covers mine with both of his. ‘My family and I cannot adequately express our gratitude to you, Colonel.’
    There is something proprietorial about his warmth which makes me feel awkward, even chilly.
    ‘You have no reason to thank me,’ I reply. ‘I was simply obeying my conscience.’
    The street outside is clear and I take advantage of the fact that I have temporarily shaken off my police tail to walk quickly along the boulevard Saint-Germain to the de Comminges house. I give my card to the footman and am shown into the library while he goes upstairs to announce me. A minute later the door is flung open and Blanche rushes in and flings her arms around me.
    ‘Darling Georges!’ she cries. ‘Do you realise you’re now the most famous person I know? We’re all in the drawing room having tea. Come along right now – I want to show you off!’
    She tries to pull me after her, but I resist. ‘Is Aimery in?’
    ‘Yes, and he’ll be thrilled to see you. Come upstairs. I insist.’ She tugs at my hand again. ‘We want to hear