"The deuce!" observed Coster de Saint-Victor, "I have never seen a man guillotined, and I have sworn that I would have nothing to do with the abominable machine until my turn came to be beheaded; but when François Groulin is brought to book, I promise to be in the front rank of spectators."
"You hear, Chante-en-Hiver?" asked Cadoudal.
Chante-en-Hiver did not wait for him to speak twice. He laid aside all his weapons with the exception of his knife, with which he never parted. Then, asking Coster de Saint-Victor to look at his watch, and learning that it was half-past eight, he promised to return by ten. Five minutes later he disappeared.
"Now," said Cadoudal, addressing the remaining chiefs, "how many horses were taken on the battlefield, with their saddles, etc.?"
"Twenty-one," said Cœur-de-Roi; "I counted them myself."
"Can we find twenty chasseur or hussar uniforms that are complete?"
"General, there are nearly one hundred and fifty dead on the field of battle," replied Branche d'Or; "we have only to take our pick."
"We must have twenty hussar uniforms, and one of them must belong to a quartermaster-general, or a sub-lieutenant."
Branche-d'Or rose, whistled, collected a dozen men, and started off with them.
"I have an idea," said Coster de Saint-Victor. "Is there a printing-shop at Vitré?"