The next morning I left Rouen with my grandson, and once again in Vaucouleurs I proceeded to write the story of Joan Darc. Thanks to the information I received from Denis Laxart and the documents of Canon Loyseleur, I have been able to draw up the above truthful narrative. To it I have attached the executioner's knife, as an additional relic of our family. Until now and in this country of Lorraine, the cradle of the virgin of Gaul, I have vainly sought to rehabilitate Joan in the eyes of her friends and even of her parents. All have given me the same answer that I received so often in Rouen and so many other towns: "Despite her glory, despite her immense services rendered to France, Joan is guilty, Joan is criminal, Joan will burn in the everlasting flames of hell--the INFALLIBLE CHURCH CONDEMNED HER!" But the judgment of men passes--true glory is imperishable. Some day the Maid will be exalted and her murderers spat upon. THE END. FOOTNOTES: [1] _Trial and Condemnation, and Proceedings of the Rehabilitation of Joan of Arc, known as The Maid_, by Jules Quicherat, after the manuscripts in the Royal Library; vol. I, p. 39. [2] The same. [3] _Trial of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 40. [4] _Trial of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 74. [5] _Song of Merlin the Enchanter_, in Villemarqué, _Popular Songs of Brittany_, vol. I, p. 219. [6] Villemarqué, _Popular Songs of Brittany_, vol. I, p. 219. [7] The citation is literal. Denis Laxart, uncle to Jeannette, testified to having heard her say: "Has it not been long prophesied that France, desolated by a woman, would be restored by a woman?" (_Proceedings of the Rehabilitation of Joan of Arc_, edited by Jules Quicherat, vol. II, p. 444.) The wife of Henry Rolhaire also deposed and said: "Jeannette asked: 'Have you not heard it said that France, lost by a woman, would be saved by a virgin of the marches (borders) of Lorraine, born near an oak forest?'" (The same, p. 447.) [8] "_Descendet virgo dorsum sagitarii._ Among other writings was found a prophecy of Merlin, speaking in this manner."--Testimony of Matthew Thomassin, given by Quicherat in the _Rehabilitation_, vol. III, p. 15. [9] See "The Iron Arrow Head," the tenth of this series. [10] Volume one of this series, "The Gold Sickle." [11] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 67. [12] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 87. [13] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 88. [14] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 88. [15] The same, p. 89. [16] The same, p. 89. [17] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 77. [18] The same, p. 77. [19] The same, pp. 79, 80. [20] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 79. [21] _Trial and Condemnation of Joan of Arc_, vol. I, p. 80. [22] The same, p. 80. [23] _Trial and Condemnation_, vol. I, p. 80. [24] _Trial and Condemnation_, vol. I, p. 80. [25] _Trial and Condemnation_, vol. I, p. 88.