The colonel was reading the second despatch, and General La Fayette's name seemed to be correcting the bad impression made by the name of Mauguin. Had they but possessed a third letter signed by a second general they would have been saved. But, unluckily, they had no third letter. "Well, gentlemen?" asked the colonel, when he had read the second letter. "Well, colonel," Charras replied plainly, "the Provisional Government thought it was sending us to patriots; it seems that it was mistaken, that is all." "Do you know, messieurs, to what this error of yours exposes you?" "Why, yes!" said Charras; "to be shot." "I am obliged to leave you, messieurs; give me your word of honour that you will not attempt to leave this room." "Our parole? ... Come now! ... Have us shot, if you will,--you must answer for the responsibility of the execution to the Provisional Government,--but we will not give you our parole." "At all events, give up your swords, then." "No, no, no!" The colonel bit his lips and said something in a low voice to the major and prepared to go out. Charras made a backward movement in order to touch Lothon, then said in a whisper-- "The pistol, for goodness' sake give me the pistol! You can see that this rascal means to have us shot!" "Bah!" was Lothon's reply, "_à la guerre comme à la guerre._" "You seem to take things very easy, you donkey; you are half dead as it is, and won't take much finishing off.... But, except for the hole you were imbecile enough to make in me, I am hale enough, and I have no desire to be killed like a chicken!" "Oh! set your mind at rest!... They do not shoot people down like this without warning, you bet!" Meanwhile, the colonel went away, and the two messengers were left with the major. The major seemed a better sort than the colonel; he had evidently remained, by his chiefs order, to make the young men talk and to find out whether all they had stated was really the truth. As their story was correct, there was no danger of their contradicting each other. Moreover, Lothon left the whole brunt of the conversation to Charras; for, as he was lounging on a sort of sofa, he fell asleep in five minutes' time. In the midst of the interview an officer appeared on the scene. "Comrade," he said, addressing Charras, "I have come from the colonel, to whom you would not give your parole.... My instructions are not to let you out of my sight;... but as I am not a policeman--why there!..." He unbuckled his sword and flung it into an arm-chair. "You can do what you like!" "Monsieur," said Charras, "our intention is not to quit la Fère, and in proof thereof look...." And he pointed out to the officer Lothon sound asleep. The colonel returned in an hour's time. He appeared very much excited and very irresolute. Suddenly he stopped in front of Charras. "I will wager you are hungry?" he said. Charras merely shrugged his shoulders and answered-- "That is a singular question to put to me, surely?"