"Did you not hear that you are to apply to General Rapp?" asked Marshal Bessières. "Why did you come the second time to a place where you do not belong? Leave immediately, or you will be arrested!"
"I am going," muttered Staps, and turned to pass through the ranks of the soldiers.
At this moment a dark suspicion arose in the mind of Bessières, for which he was unable to give any good reasons, but which alarmed him. He beckoned to two soldiers, and, pointing at Staps, who was pressing his way outside, he said, "Arrest that man, and bring him hither!" His order was obeyed in a moment, and the soldiers, holding Staps by the arms, dragged him to the marshal, whom the Duke de Rovigo and General Rapp had now joined.
"Why did you have me arrested, general?" asked Staps, in a firm, calm voice.
"Because I distrust you," replied Bessières. "Take off your cloak!"
Staps hesitated. "Take off your cloak!" repeated Bessières; and, not obeying, the soldiers violently tore the cloak from his shoulders, and, as they did so, something flashed.
It was the blade of a large knife, in a belt with which he had fastened his black velvet coat.
"He is saved and I am lost!" muttered Staps to himself, and dropped his head on his breast.
"What is the meaning of this knife?" asked General Rapp. "What did you want to do with it?"
Staps slowly raised his head and lifted up his arm to point at the emperor, who was standing but a few steps from them.