Editing Dreyfus affair (section)

=== The arrest ===
On 13 October 1894, without any tangible evidence and with an empty file, General Mercier summoned Captain Dreyfus for a general inspection in "bourgeois clothing", i.e. in civilian clothes. The purpose of the General Staff was to obtain the perfect proof under French law: a [[Confession (law)|confession]]. That confession was to be obtained by surprise – by dictating a letter based on the bordereau<ref>Reinach, [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k75082s ''History of the Dreyfus Affair'', Volume 1], p. 107. {{in lang|fr}}</ref><ref>Report of the Supreme Court, Volume 1, p. 127. {{in lang|fr}}</ref> to reveal his guilt.

On the morning of 15 October 1894, Captain Dreyfus underwent this ordeal but admitted nothing. Du Paty even tried to suggest suicide by placing a revolver in front of Dreyfus, but he refused to take his life, saying he "wanted to live to establish his innocence". The hopes of the military were crushed. Nevertheless Du Paty de Clam still arrested the captain,<ref>The arrest order had been signed in advance, v. Thomas, ''The Affair Without Dreyfus'', p. 208. {{in lang|fr}}</ref> accused him of conspiring with the enemy, and told him that he would be brought before a court-martial. Dreyfus was imprisoned at the [[Cherche-Midi prison]] in [[Paris]].<ref>Duclert, ''Biography of Alfred Dreyfus'', p. 118. {{in lang|fr}}</ref>