"But, monsieur...."
"Come," said Charras, "I see the Prefect of Versailles won't be shot to-night."
"But, monsieur, think what it is you are asking me to do!"
"I am only asking you to let me pass through your lines, General."
"Allow this gentleman to pass through," said General Exelmans.
He lay down to sleep again under his plum tree, and Charras continued his journey. He reached the barrier of Versailles, made himself known, took four National Guards with him and made his way to the Prefecture. It was one o'clock in the morning and everyone was asleep. He had to knock a quarter of an hour before extracting the least sign of life from the house. Charras and the Guards went at it tooth and nail, some knocking with the butt-end of their pistols and others with that of their rifles. At last, a voice called out from the courtyard—
"What do you want?"
"I want a word with the prefect."
"What! with the prefect?"
"Yes."