It was
Madelinette, who had come to the camp early to cook her father's
breakfast.
Without a word, the mealman turned, pulled his clothes about him with a
jerk, and, pale and bewildered, started away at a run down the plateau.
"He's going to the village," said the charcoalman. "He hasn't leave.
That's court-martial!"
Lajeunesse shook his head knowingly. "He's never had but two ideas in
his nut-meal and Elise; let him go."
The mealman was soon lost to view, unheeding the challenge that rang
after him.
Lagroin had seen the fugitive from a distance, and came down, inquiring.
When he was told he swore that Duclosse should suffer divers punishments.
"A pretty kind of officer!" he cried in a fury. "Damn it, is there
another man in my army would do it?"
No one answered; and because Lagroin was not a wise man, he failed to
see that in time his army might be entirely dissipated by such awkward
incidents. When Valmond was told, he listened with a better
understanding.
All that Lajeunesse had announced came to pass.
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