"Yes, your honor," said the sergeant; "it is the same."
"But," said Athos, haughtily, "I do not deny it, I think; and now, gentlemen, in turn, permit me to ask you to what purpose these questions are asked, and particularly some explanations upon the tone in which you ask them?"
"Monsieur," said the lieutenant, "if we address these questions to you, it is because we have a right to do so, and if we make them in a particular tone, it is because that tone, believe me, agrees with the circumstances."
"Gentlemen," said Athos, "you do not know who I am; but I must tell you that I acknowledge no one here but General Monk as my equal. Where is he? Let me be conducted to him, and if he 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 loudly."
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?"
This question was made with such apparent good faith, and the gentleman wore an air of such natural surprise, that the three officers exchanged a meaning look. The lieutenant, by a tacit convention with the other two, was spokesman.
"Monsieur, the general left you last night on the borders of the monastery."
"Yes, monsieur."
"And you went--"
"It is not for me to answer you, but for those who have accompanied me. They were your soldiers, ask them."
"But if we please to question you?"
"Then it will please me to reply, monsieur, that I do not recognize any one here, that I know no one here but the general, and that it is to him alone I will reply."