"I cannot at present leave the army," was the reply.
The four commissioners exchanged looks.
"We are on the eve of a decisive engagement with the enemy. When that is over—in a few days, if I am alive, I will answer the committee's summons."
"We were instructed to bring you back with us at once," said one of the commissioners.
"And we'll do it, too," muttered another under his breath.
The fourth pulled Gardin by the sleeve and whispered something in his ear.
"I regret, citizen commissioners," repeated Tournay, "that I cannot at present leave the army."
Then rising suddenly and confronting Gardin he said passionately:—
"Tell your masters that it is not necessary to drag Robert Tournay to Paris like a felon, that he will appear before the committee of his own free will; that he regards the welfare of France as paramount to everything else, and that his duty to her will take him to the field to-morrow."
"Your answer is not satisfactory to us," persisted Gardin, "nor will it be to the committee. Once more, and for the last time, citizen colonel, will you obey this summons as it is written?"