The general shrugged his shoulders and said a few words in a contemptuous tone, then entered his automobile with two of his aids, and the group disbanded.
The cruel uncertainty, the interminable moments before the official returned to his side, filled Desnoyers with dread.
"His Excellency is very gracious," announced the lieutenant.

"He might have shot you, but he pardons you and yet you people say that we are savages!".

.

.
With involuntary contempt, he further explained that he had conducted him thither fully expecting that he would be shot.

The General was planning to punish all the prominent residents of Villeblanche, and he had inferred, on his own initiative, that the owner of the castle must be one of them.
"Military duty, sir.