"Mauguin," replied Charras, "why, M. Mauguin, a member of the Provisional Government!"
"Mauguin?" the colonel repeated, looking at the major.
"Yes, a lawyer," the latter replied.
"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!"
"I myself am sure of it!" said Lothon.
"Then now for our pistols!"
"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.