“Monsieur le Baron, it was the coachman who attacked me first; I had to defend myself,” stammered Lambernier.
“All right, we will see about that later. March on!”
“You will deliver me up to the police—I am a ruined man!”
“That will make one rascal the less,” exclaimed Christian, repelling with disgust the workman, who had thrown himself on his knees before him.
“I have three children, Monsieur, three children,” he repeated, in a supplicating tone.
“Will you march!” replied Bergenheim imperiously, as he made a gesture with his gun as if to shoot him.
Lambernier arose suddenly, and the expression of terror upon his countenance gave place to one of resolution mingled with hatred and scorn.
“Very well,” he exclaimed, “let us go on! but remember what I tell you; if you have me arrested, you will be the first to repent of it, Baron though you are. If I appear before a judge, I will tell something that you would pay a good price for.”
Bergenheim looked fixedly at Lambernier.
“What do you mean by such insolence?” said he.