"Very fine," said a voice in the corridor; "but that is no reason for overturning your friends, particularly when they come as ambassadors to the general."
"What is the meaning of that?" said Pichegru. "Go see, Charles, and receive these ambassadors."
Charles, delighted to have an active share in the proceedings, darted to the door, and returned in a moment, saying: "General, they are delegates from the regiment of the Indre, who have come in the name of their comrades, with Corporal Faraud at their head."
"Who is Corporal Faraud?"
"The man of the wolves last night."
"But last night he was a common soldier."
"And now, general, he is a corporal; to be sure his stripes are made of paper."
"Paper stripes?" said the general, frowning.
"Oh! I don't know," said Charles.
"Admit the citizen delegates of the regiment of the Indre."