Then, addressing himself to Charras and Lothon, he said—
"Good-day, messieurs; I bid you welcome."
"Welcome?" repeated the colonel.
"Yes, yes, that is what I said.... And to you, colonel, I say that you have no right to detain these gentlemen. I am told they have been sent on a mission from the Provisional Government.... They are officers with a flag of truce, and it is the universal custom not to arrest those intrusted with missions of that nature."
So saying, he shook Charras's hand with such heartiness as to make him cry out, for it caused his wound to re-open.
"What is the matter?" asked Lieutenant-Colonel Duriveau.
"Nothing, nothing at all, merely that I have a wound under my arm."
"Indeed, and it looks as though your friend had one in his head, too.... We must have all these wounds dressed before anything else, colonel."
"I have thought of that, monsieur," replied the colonel, "and I do not know why the surgeon-major has not yet come."