And when he said abruptly: "Yes! But will they defend themselves?" I answered: "The Alsatians and the Lorraines are people who will defend themselves till death, because they love their Emperor, and they would all be willing to die for him!"
I said that by way of prudence; but he could plainly see in my face that I was no fighting man, for he smiled good-humoredly, and said: "That will do, commandant, that is enough!"
The secretaries had kept on writing. Zimmer made a sign to me and we went out together. When we were outside he called out:
"Good-by, Moses, good-by!"
The sentinels let me pass, and still trembling, I continued my journey.
I was soon knocking at the little door of Baruch's house at the end of the lane where the cardinal's old stables were.
It was pitch dark.
What a joy it was, Fritz, after having seen all these terrible things, to come to the place where those I loved were resting! How softly my heart beat, and how I pitied all that power and glory which made so many people miserable!
After a moment I heard my son-in-law enter the passage and open the door. Baruch and Zeffen had long since ceased expecting me.
"Is it you, my father?" asked Baruch.