The countenance of the old gentleman, habitually joyous, showed at that moment a lofty expression of nobility and authority. A few steps from the tribunal the baron took off his hat, which he had kept on until then, although the crowd was uncovered. One could not help admiring the dignity of the face and bearing of this noble old man with long hair and gray moustache. Soon Master Talebardon arrived. Notwithstanding his usual assurance, and although he had the recorder Isnard at his heels, he could not conquer his emotion, and carefully avoided the baron’s glances. Peyrou rose, as well as the other overseers; he kept his hat on. “Bernard Talebard-Talebardon, come forward,” said he. The consul entered the enclosure. “Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, come forward.” The baron entered the enclosure. “Bernard Talebard-Talebardon, you demand, in the name of the community of La Ciotat, to be heard by the overseers of the port, against Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez.” “Yes, syndic,” replied the consul. “Deposit two sous and eight farthings in the common purse, and speak.” The consul put the money in a wooden box, and, advancing near the tribunal, stated his grievance in these terms: “Syndic and overseers, from time immemorial the fishery of the cove of Camerou has been divided between the community of the city and the lord of Anbiez; the said lord can lay his nets and seines from the coast to the rocks called the Seven Stones of Castrembaou, which form a sort of belt, about five hundred steps from the coast. The community hold the right from the Seven Stones of Castrembaou to the two points of the bay; before you, syndic and overseers, I affirm on oath that this is the truth, and I adjure Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, here present and called by me, to say if such is not the truth.” Turning to the gentleman, Peyrou said to him: “Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, is what the plaintiff says true? Has the right of fishery always been thus divided between the lords of Anbiez and the community of the city of La Ciotat?” “The fishery has always been thus divided. I recognise it,” said the baron. The perfect agreeableness with which the baron made his reply left no doubt as to his submission to the ability of the tribunal. A murmur of satisfaction circulated through the hall. “Continue,” said Peyrou to the consul. “Syndic and overseers,” pursued Talebard-Talebardon, “in spite of our rights and our custom, instead of confining himself to the space between the rocks of the Seven Stones of Castrembaou and the coast, Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, has laid his nets beyond the rocks of the Seven Stones toward the high sea, and consequently has injured the rights of the community which I represent. He fishes in the part reserved for the said community. These facts, which I affirm on oath, are known, besides, to everybody, as well as yourselves, syndic and overseers.”