"But this is his tent."
"Monsieur is mistaken. This is the tent of M. the Colonel Gerome--if he is still alive, man Dieu! He went into Malakoff yesterday and we have not seen him since."
"And where is Colonel Carron, then?"
"I do not know, monsieur. It is only three months since I came out. Is it all over, as they say?"
"We have Sebastopol," said Jim, "or part of it." And he quickly pushed on along the road to French Head-quarters.
A squadron of lancers came down the road at a fast trot, gleaming in the sun and jingling bravely. Their leader looked curiously at the odd little company, for ladies were refreshingly rare in camp. Then he suddenly drew rein and saluted, and Jim knew him. They had met many times in the tent in the hollow.
"You, M. Carron? Why, we gave you up for dead long ago!"
"Where is my father, du Bourg? I've been to his tent----"
"Mon Dieu!--and you have not heard? I am sorry to have to tell it, but you would have to hear. Colonel Carron was killed six months ago, repulsing a sortie." And, as he saw Jim's face fall, he added: "If you have had no news for six months, mon ami, be prepared for the worst. You will find very few of your friends left. Where have you been?"
"Prisoner inside since December."