Page:The Works of Honoré de Balzac Volume 29.djvu/50

22 that Chouan yonder," again he pointed to Marche-à-Terre, "tells me that he is close upon us. But there is no need to teach grimaces to an old monkey, and you will help me now to cage my linnets, and in less than no time. A pretty idiot I should be to let myself be snared like a bird, and that by a ci-devant from London, come over here pretending that he wants to dust our jackets."

Thus informed in confidence of the critical state of affairs, the two officers, who knew that their commandant never alarmed himself without good reason, assumed that gravity of expression common to soldiers in pressing danger, who have been thoroughly tempered and have some insight into the ways of mankind. Gérard, whose rank, since suppressed, brought him into close contact with his commandant, made up his mind to reply, and to ask for the rest of the political news which had evidently been passed over; but a sign from Hulot kept him silent, and all three of them fell to scrutinizing Marche-à-Terre.

The Chouan showed not the least sign of agitation at finding himself watched in this way by men as formidable intellectually as they were physically. This sort of warfare was a novelty to the two officers; their curiosity was keenly excited by the opening event, and the whole matter seemed to be invested with an almost romantic interest. They were inclined to joke about it; but at the first word which they let fall, Hulot looked at them sternly and said:

"Tonnerre de Dieu, citizens! don't smoke your pipes over a barrel of powder. You might as well amuse yourselves with carrying water in a basket, as by showing courage where it isn't wanted. Gérard," he continued, leaning over, and whispering in the adjutant's ear, "get nearer to the brigand bit by bit, and if he makes the least suspicious movement, run him through the body at once. And I myself will take measures for keeping up the conversation if our unknown friends really have a mind to begin it."

Gérard bent his head slightly in obedience. Then he began to look round at different points in the landscape of the val-