has any questions to put to me, I will answer him and to his
satisfaction, I hope. I repeat, gentlemen, where is the
general?"

"Eh! good God! you know better than we do where he is," said
the lieutenant.

"I?"

"Yes, you."

"Monsieur," said Athos, "I do not understand you."

"You will understand me -- and, in the first place, do not
speak so loud."

Athos smiled disdainfully.

"We don't ask you to smile," said one of the colonels
warmly; "we require you to answer."

"And I, gentlemen, declare to you that I will not reply
until I am in the presence of the general."

"But," replied the same colonel who had already spoken, "you
know very well that is impossible."

"This is the second time I have received this strange reply
to the wish I express," said Athos. "Is the general absent?"