And they emptied their glasses, all except Montlouis, who stopped as he was lifting his to his lips.
"Well, what is it?" said Pontcalec.
"The drum," said Montlouis, stretching out his hand in the direction where he heard the sound.
"Well," said Talhouet, "did you not hear what Christopher said? it is the troops returning."
"On the contrary, it is the troops going out; that is not a retreat, but the générale."
"The générale!" said Talhouet, "what on earth can that mean?"
"No good," said Montlouis, shaking his head.
"Christopher!" said Pontcalec, turning to the jailer.
"Yes, gentlemen, I will find out what it is," said he, "and be back in an instant."
He rushed out of the room, but not without carefully shutting the door behind him.