THE VICOMTE DE BEAGELONKE. 189
the evening before, three superior officers; these were Monk's lieutenant and two colonels. Athos perceived his sword: it was still on the table where he had left it. Neither of the officers had seen Athos, consequently neither of them knew him. Monk's lieutenant asked him, at the appear- ance of Athos, if that were the same gentleman with whom the general had left the tent.
"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 my turn, permit me to ask you to what purpose are these questions 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 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, on your part, 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, a you know very well that that is impossible."
"This is the second time I have received this strange re- ply 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 in the bounda- ries of the monastery,"
