Summary

Mathilde has asked Pierre-Marie Rouviàre, her father’s lawyer, to help her find news of Manech. The lawyer says Esperanza has fabricated his story to make himself more famous. Rouviàre has contacted the lawyer who represented the men accused of self-mutilation. The soldiers had all been given a reprieve and sentenced to hard labor rather than death. Manech rejoined his unit and was killed in action. Santini, the medical officer, was killed in a bombardment, but he was not sent out to treat five criminals as Esperanza had said. Mathilde places an advertisement in the newspaper. She offers a reward for information about Bingo Crepuscule, Lieutenant Jean-Baptiste Santini, Urbain Chardolot, Benjamin Gordes, and Celestin Poux.

Mathilde sends Sylvain to the address of Mariette Notre-Dame which the priest had given her. The landlord tells him he remembers Mariette and her young son...