While Castillon was thus reflecting, the report of a firearm rang out about a hundred paces from the inn. One of the pickets had fired. Captain Martin at once spoke to an under-officer:
"Sergeant, take four men and go see what is up out there. It must be comrade Lebrenn who fired that shot."
"Perhaps he got a bead on some spy within the lines," suggested Duchemin, as the sergeant hastened out with his guard.
The incident, however, passed almost unnoticed by Castillon, who, preoccupied with his own thoughts concerning the "pair" in the Third Hussars approached Duchemin and asked:
"Comrade, did you ever see the two brave cavalrymen you spoke of, again?"
"Yes, often. After Kaiserslautern our battery was attached to their division."
"How old would you say Oliver was?"
"He is eighteen or so; black haired, with blue eyes. He is a fine looking hussar; but in respect of beauty, his companion takes the shine out of him."
"Victor is also a pretty boy, then?"
"He is too good looking for a man. What an air of authority! What an eye of fire!"