"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.
"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!"
"Wait a bit ... there is time enough yet."
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?"
"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."
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--