The word of command was loud and clear. About a dozen soldiers moved at the call of instinct--moved a little--looked about them, and shuffled back to their places again. The rest budged not an inch. A long and horrid silence followed. The Colonel's face turned grey. "Soldiers," he said, "I have given you an order; remember the honour of the regiment. Form,--fours." This time not a man moved. "As you were," he shouted desperately, though it was an unnecessary command. "The battalion will advance in quarter-column. Quick march!" The battalion remained motionless. "Captain Lecomte," said the Colonel, "what is the name of the right-hand man of your company?" "Sergeant Balfe, Sir," replied the officer. "Sergeant Balfe, I order you to advance. Quick--march!" The sergeant quivered with excitement; but he held his ground. The Colonel opened his pouch and produced his revolver with much deliberation. He looked carefully at it, as if to see that it was well cleaned; then he raised the hammer and rode up close to the mutineer. At ten yards he stopped and took aim. "Quick--march!" he said in a low menacing voice. It was evident that a climax had been reached, but at this instant Sorrento, who, concealed in the archway of the barrack-gate, had watched the proceedings, rode into the square and trotted towards the soldiers. The Colonel lowered his pistol. "Good-morning," said the War-Minister. The officer replaced his weapon and saluted. "Is the regiment ready to move off?" and then before a reply could be given he added: "A very smart parade, but after all it will not be necessary to march to-day. The President is anxious that the men should have a good night's rest before starting, and," raising his voice, "that they should drink a bumper to the Republic and confusion to her enemies. You may dismiss them, Colonel." "Fall out," said the Colonel, not even caring to risk going through the correct procedure for dismissing. The parade broke up. The ordered ranks dissolved in a crowd, and the soldiers streamed off towards their barracks. The officers alone remained. "I should have shot him, Sir, in another instant," said the Colonel. "No good," said Sorrento, "to shoot one man; it would only infuriate them. I will have a couple of machine-guns down here to-morrow morning, and we shall see then what will happen." He turned suddenly, interrupted by a storm of broken and confused cheering. The soldiers had almost reached their barracks; one man was raised on the shoulders of others, and surrounded by the rest of the regiment, waving their helmets, brandishing their rifles, and cheering wildly. "It is the sergeant," said the Colonel.