said the lieutenant.

“I?”

“Yes, you.”

“Monsieur,” said Athos; “I do not understand you.”

“You will understand me — and, in the first place, do not speak so loudly.”

Athos smiled disdainfully.

“We don’t ask you to smile,” said one of the colonels warmly; “we require you to answer.”

“And I, gentlemen, declare to you that I will not reply until I am in the presence of the general.”

“But,” replied the same colonel who had already spoken, “you know very well that is impossible.”