a
quarter past five
Madame Dammauville 's story is not known to the law , or , if something transpires , we will arrange that this something is so vague that the prosecution will attach but little importance to it . And this is possible if we do not base a new defence on this testimony . We arrive at the judgment , and when the prosecution has listened to its witnesses which have overwhelmed us -- the agent of affairs Savoureux , the tailor Valerius , -- it is Madame Dammauville 's turn . She simply relates what she saw , and declares that the man who is on the prisoner 's bench is not the same who drew the curtains at a quarter past five . Do you see the ` coup de theatre ' ? The prosecution had not foreseen it ; it had not inquired into the health of the witness ; the physician would not be there to quote the defects of sight or reason ; very probably it would not think of the dusty windowpanes , or of the distance . And all the opposing arguments that would be properly arranged if there were time , would be lacking , and we should carry the acquittal with a high hand . ''