This dialogue, as will be easily understood, took place in an undertone, whilst the quarter-master, who was to conduct the young men to the colonel's house, was preparing his military toilet. He returned and got into the carriage, which set off at full trot till it reached the colonel's house. At the gate, Charras, like the conscientious man he was, handed one of the pistols to Lothon. "Good!" said Lothon, "thanks.... Give me the other one too now." "What for?" "To see if they are in good order and have not lost their primings.... Anyhow, come, give it me." "Here it is." "Now get out.... You can see the quarter-master is waiting for you." Charras leapt down from the carriage, and they went upstairs to the first floor. At the door Charras turned round towards Lothon. "What about the pistol?" Lothon had stuffed it into his pocket. "It is all right where it is: go on." "What do you mean by 'it is all right where it is'?" "Never mind: go on." He pushed Charras into the anteroom. Lothon, just by chance, more prudent then than his comrade, had uncocked it. But they had chosen an unfortunate place to quarrel in, especially a quarrel of that nature. The two young men went on conversing mutely with their eyes, and a few seconds later found themselves inside the colonel's drawing-room. Colonel Husson was a man of forty, with strongly marked features and a resolute and proud expression, a real soldier type. He was chatting with one of the majors of his regiment. He received our two messengers politely but with reserve. "What can we do for you, gentlemen?" he asked, after the preliminary interchange of compliments. Charras in a few words related the story of the three days: the taking of the Louvre, the flight of the king and the nomination of the Provisional Government--the whole history of the Revolution, in short. The two officers listened to the recital more and more coldly as he reached the end. Charras deemed this was the right moment for producing the two papers from his pocket. He handed them both to the colonel. The one was in an envelope and sealed--that was Mauguin's letter; the other was simply folded in four--this was La Fayette's proclamation. By chance, the colonel began by breaking open first the sealed envelope containing Mauguin's letter. He read the first lines, then looked at the signature. "Magin ... Maguin.... Who is this person?" "Mauguin," replied Charras, "why, M. Mauguin, a member of the Provisional Government!" "Mauguin?" the colonel repeated, looking at the major. "Yes, a lawyer," the latter replied. "A lawyer!" said the colonel, in tones that sent a shudder through Charras. "Ah!" he said in a whisper to Lothon, "I believe we are done for!" "I myself am sure of it!" said Lothon. "Then now for our pistols!" "Wait a bit ... there is time enough yet."