"I shall run to him on the spot," answered Sampso without asking me any questions.
She rushed to the house door which was bolted from within. As she opened it I saw a mob of soldiers advancing over the square where my house was situated and which was close to the entrance of the camp. Several soldiers carried torches; all uttered loud and threatening cries in which the name of Victorin constantly recurred.
I recognized the veteran Douarnek at the head of the mob. He was brandishing his sword.
"Schanvoch," he cried the moment he recognized me, "the rumor has just run over the camp that a shocking crime was committed in your house!"
"And the criminal is Victorin!" cried several voices drowning mine. "Death to the infamous fellow!"
"Death to the infamous fellow, who violated the wife of his friend!"
"Just as he violated the wife of the tavern-keeper on the Rhine, who killed herself in despair."
"The cowardly hypocrite pretended to have mended his ways!"
"To dishonor a soldier's wife! The wife of Schanvoch, who loved the debauché as if he were his own son!"
"And who, moreover, saved his life in battle!"