Menou made no answer to this threatening speech, but with folded arms paced the apartment for several minutes. At length he turned hastily round, and fixing his eyes on the Knight, said, with a rude oath, “You are a fortunate man, sir, that you did not hold this language to my predecessor in the command. General Kleber would have had you in front of a peloton of grenadiers within five minutes after you uttered it.”
“I have heard as much,” said the Knight, with a slight smile.
Menou rang a bell which stood beside him, and an aide-de-camp entered.
“Captain le Messurier,” said he, in the ordinary tone of discipline, “this officer is under arrest. You will take the necessary steps for his safe keeping, and his due appearance when summoned before a military tribunal.”
He bowed to Darcy as he spoke, and, reseating himself at the table, took up his pen to write.
“At the hazard of being thought very hardy, sir,” said the Knight, as he moved towards the door, “I would humbly solicit a favor.”
“A favor!” exclaimed Menou, staring in surprise.
“Yes, sir; it is that the services of a surgeon should be promptly rendered—”
“I have given orders on that score already. My own medical man shall attend to you.”
“I speak not of myself, sir. It is of a Volunteer of my corps, a young man who now lies badly wounded; his case is not without hope, if speedily looked to.”