"'Open!'
"I obey. The colonel, a sort of a wolf, whom I saw just now going to your house, enters the first, pistol in hand; he examines all round: 'You are alone?'
"'Yes; with my wife.'
"'Very well!'
"Then he went into the passage, and called an aide-de-camp. Three or four soldiers came in; they carry chairs and a table into the kitchen. The colonel unfolds a large map upon the floor; he takes off his boots, and lays himself upon it. Then he calls: 'Such a one, are you here?'
"'Present, colonel.'
"Then six or seven captains and lieutenants enter.
"'Such an one, do you see the road to Metting!'
"They had all taken small maps out of their pockets.
"'Yes, colonel.'