"You haven't far to go. Pass through the shed, turn to the right, and you will see another cavalry picket before the door of a house. There is where General Donadieu is quartered," replied the sentry, while the courier vanished in the direction indicated.
"Good god-father, General Donadieu is attached to this army! Good news for us!"
"But, dear god-son, how will the presence of this general serve us any?"
"Good god-father," replied young Rodin in a whisper, "if you wish it, you need not go to-day to visit the angels of the Lord. Think and decide whether you would rather go. I am here to obey you."
With a nod the Jesuit approved the advice of his god-son, and beckoning to the cavalryman, who approached them, he said: "Hey, sentry! Is it indeed decided that I be shot at daybreak?"
"In the shake of a lamb's tail. You won't have long to wait."
"Well, well! Since it must be so, I have decided to make revelations—very important ones."
"I shall call the brigadier and he will take you before the Provost."
"No, no. It is to a general that I wish to make my revelations. Let your chiefs know without delay."
"You hear that, brigadier!" commented the sentry to an under-officer who had come up. "The old rascal calls for a general to make revelations to!"