"What about those in the yard?"
"They are engaged."
"Ah! very well."
Charras looked about him: there were over a hundred people already gathered round, and amongst these spectators were a dozen or so soldiers of the National Guard together with a sergeant.
"Sergeant," said Charras, "do me the kindness to lay hold of that gentleman."
Now a Frenchman is by nature prone to laying hands on people, especially if he wears the uniform of the National Guard. Sergeant Mercier, who refused to seize Manuel, was an exception to this rule and that was why such honours were paid him. The sergeant moved towards the carriage proprietor and seized him by the collar.
"Good!" said Charras; "presently we will see what is to be done with him."
"Really, monsieur," said the proprietor, "who are you?"
"I am M. Charras, first aide-de-camp to General Pajol, who is commander-in-chief of the Expeditionary Army of the West." "Why did you not say so before, monsieur? That quite alters matters."
"Shall I liberate him?" asked the sergeant.