“Carnac of Alincourt?”
There was a silence, then a voice cried, “Crippled!”
“Mark him off, lieutenant,” said the mayor, pompously; “he’s our little hunchback.”
“Shall I mark you in his place?” asked the lieutenant, with a smile that turned the mayor’s blood to water. “No? You would make a fine figure for a forlorn hope.”
A man burst out laughing, but he was half crazed with grief, and his acrid mirth found no response. Then the roll-call was resumed:
“Gestel?”
“Present!”
“Garenne!”
There was another silence.
“Robert Garenne!” repeated the officer, sharply. “Monsieur the mayor has informed me that you are liable for military duty. If you are present, answer to your name or take the consequences!”