“Once before, baron, I chastised——”
I was interrupted. One of the men on the settee interposed, rising as he spoke.
“I beg pardon, gentlemen, but is it Colonel Despard of the Hussars to whom you refer?”
“Yes,” said the baron.
“Then that gentleman is not Colonel Despard,” announced our new friend. “I am Colonel Despard’s brother-in-law.”
For a moment I was at a loss; things were falling out so very unfortunately. Dumergue turned on the stranger fiercely:
“Pray, sir, was your interposition solicited?”
“Certainly not. But if this gentleman says he is Colonel Despard, I take leave to contradict him.”
“I should advise you to do nothing of the sort,” said I. “M. Dumergue knows me very well.”