When Dubreuil had finished, he reseated himself and said, "Now do you see?" "And where did you get that?" demanded Kasper. "That, my boy, is put up everywhere!" "Well, we are pleased with that," said Materne, laying his hand on Frantz's arm, who had risen with sparkling eyes. "Dost thou want a light, Frantz? Here is my flint." Frantz sat down again, and the old man continued, good-naturedly: "And our good friends the Germans take nothing from any one?" "Quiet, orderly people have nothing to fear; but as to the rascals who rise, all is taken from them. And it is just--the good ought not to suffer for the wicked. For example, instead of doing you any harm, the allies would receive you well at their head-quarters. You know the country: you would serve as guides, and you would be richly paid." There was a slight pause. The three hunters again looked at each other: the father had spread his hands on the table, as though to recommend calm to his sons; but even he was very pale. The innkeeper, observing nothing, continued: "You would have much more to fear in the woods of Baronies from those brigands of Dagsburg, Sarre, and Blanru, who have all revolted, and wish to have '93 over again." "Are you sure of that?" demanded Materne, making an effort to control himself. "Am I sure! You have only to look out of the window and you will see them on the road to the Donon. They have surprised the anabaptist Pelsly, and bound him to the foot of his bed. They pillage, rob, break up the roads. But beware! In a few days they will see strange things. It is not with a thousand men that they will be attacked, not with ten thousand, but with millions. They will all be hung." Materne rose. "It is time for us to be going," said he briefly. "At two o'clock we must be at the wood, and here we are talking quietly like magpies! Au revoir, Father Dubreuil." They rushed out hastily, no longer able to contain their passion. "Think of what I have said," cried the innkeeper to them from his chair. Once in the open air, Materne, turning round, said, with trembling lips: "If I had not restrained myself, I should have broken the bottle on his head." "And I," said Frantz, "should have run him through with my bayonet." Kasper, one foot on the step, seemed about to re-enter the inn; he grasped the handle of his hunting-knife, and his face bore a terrible expression. But his father took him by the arm and dragged him off, saying: "Come, come, we will deal with him later on. To counsel me to betray the country! Hullin told us to be on our guard: he was right." They went down the street, looking to the right and left with haggard eyes. The people asked among themselves: What is the matter with them?