"Keep back, will you, Forgons," interposed Gardin, fearing that his dignity as leader would be usurped. "Leave me to manage this affair. I am here," he said, addressing Colonel Tournay, "to apprehend the person of an aristocrat, and shall brook no interference on the part of any one."
"Let me look at your warrant," demanded Tournay, in a tone of authority.
"I am not obliged to show that to you," replied Gardin doggedly.
"Let me see it, I say!" was the determined rejoinder.
Gardin slowly drew a document from the breast of his coat and handed it over with a sullen "Well, there's no harm in your seeing it."
Tournay read it carefully. Then folding it up with great deliberation he returned it.
"It seems quite regular."
"Regular," repeated Gardin, with a laugh,—"well, I like that. Of course it's quite regular,—signed and stamped by the Committee of Public Safety." Then with a show of mock politeness: "Now if the citizen colonel will condescend to step aside I will conduct this young citizeness from the room."
"That order of arrest calls for a certain citizeness de Rochefort, does it not?" asked Tournay, without moving.
"Certainly it does. The Citizeness Edmé de Rochefort who stands there, right behind you."