"But these casks, what do they contain?"

"Have you not put that question to your soldiers? What was
their reply?"

"That they contained powder and ball."

"From whom had they that information? They must have told
you that."

"From the general; but we are not dupes."

"Beware, gentlemen, it is not to me you are now giving the
lie, it is to your leader."

The officers again looked at each other. Athos continued:
"Before your soldiers the general told me to wait a week,
and at the expiration of that week he would give me the
answer he had to make me. Have I fled away? No, I wait."

"He told you to wait a week!" cried the lieutenant.

"He told me that so clearly, sir, that I have a sloop at the
mouth of the river, which I could with ease have joined
yesterday, and embarked. Now, if I have remained, it was
only in compliance with the desire of your general, his
honor having requested me not to depart without a last
audience, which fixed at a week hence. I repeat to you,
then, I am waiting."