The General read it, very slowly, for a few minutes. He could not have gone much further than the first paragraph when he folded the paper abruptly, shot a lightning glance at Warner that dazzled him like a saber flash; and suddenly smiled.
"This seems to indicate a rather bad business, Mr. Warner," he said pleasantly. "I count on your discretion, of course."
"You may, General."
"I mean even among my entourage. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly."
"Who has any knowledge of these papers excepting yourself and myself?"
"Nobody but Wildresse, as far as I know."
The General motioned to the sentry who stood guard by the three sky-guns on the north terrace:
"Colonel Gerould; say to him I am waiting!"
A few moments later the big Colonel of Cuirassiers came clanking into the billiard room. General Delisle handed him the papers, said a few words in a low voice. As he spoke there was something quietly terrible in the stare he turned on Colonel Gerould; and the latter turned visibly white and glared blankly into space as the General laid his hand on his arm and spoke low and rapidly into his ear.