“That he was undoubtedly the same child?”

“Undoubtedly the same child, with the same features and the same figure.”

More than one impostor has tripped, stumbled, and fallen over that declaration.

But notwithstanding Lasne’s evidence, on the second morning of the trial a printed sheet was circulated among the audience, which is a curiosity in its way.  This document, which was addressed to the jury, was signed “Charles-Louis, Duke of Normandy,” and was a sort of protest in favour of Louis XVII., who pretended to have nothing in common with the sham Baron Richemont.  It asserted that “the secret mover of the puppet Richemont could not be unaware the real son of the unfortunate Louis XVI. was furnished with the requisite proofs of his origin, and that he could prove by indisputable evidence his own identity with the dauphin of the Temple.  It was perfectly well known that every time the royal orphan sought to make himself known to his family, a sham Louis XVII. was immediately brought forward—­an impostor like the person the jury was called upon to judge—­and by this manoeuvre public opinion was changed, and the voice of the real son of Louis XVI. was silenced.”  At the opening of the court an advocate appeared on behalf of this second pretender; but after a short discussion was refused a hearing.

As far as Richemont was concerned, all his audacity could not save him; from the beginning the evidence was dead against him; there was no difficulty in tracing his infamous career, the public prosecutor was merciless in his denunciation, and in his demand that a severe sentence should be passed upon this new disturber of the state, and Richemont’s own eloquence availed him nothing.  The prisoner was, however, bold enough, and in addressing the jury, said—­“The public prosecutor has told you that I cannot be the son of Louis XVI.  Has he told you who I am?  He has been formally asked, and has kept silence.  Gentlemen, you will appreciate that silence, and will also appreciate the reasons which prevent us from producing our titles.  This is neither the place nor the moment.  The competent tribunals will be called upon to give their decision in this matter.  He tells you also that inquiries have been made everywhere; but he has not let you know the result of these inquiries.  He cannot do it!...  I repeat to you that if I am mistaken, I am thoroughly honest in my mistake.  It has lasted for fifty years, and I fear I shall carry it with me to my tomb.”

The jury were perfectly indifferent to his appeal, and found him guilty of a plot to upset the government of the king, of exciting the people to civil war, of attempting to change the order of succession to the throne, and of three minor offences in addition.  The Advocate-General pressed for the heaviest penalty which the law allowed, and the judge condemned “Henri-Hebert-Ethelbert-Louis-Hector,” calling himself Baron de Richemont, to twelve years’ imprisonment.