They distrusted magistrates, as do all people without clean consciences.

If the Colonel was a poor devil who could be put off with a few thalers, it would be better to avoid legal proceedings.
Fougas stated the case to them with entire military bluntness.

He proved the existence of his right, said that he had had his identity substantiated at Fontainebleau, Paris, and Berlin; cited from memory two or three passages of the will, and finished by declaring that the Prussian Government, in conjunction with that of France, would support his just claims if necessary.
"You understand clearly," said he, taking Meiser by the button of his coat, "that I am no fox, depending on cunning.

If you had a wrist vigorous enough to swing a good sabre, we'd take the field against each other, and I'd play you for the amount, first two cuts out of three, as surely as that's soup before you!" "Fortunately, monsieur," said Meiser, "my age shields me from all brutality.

You would not wish to trample under foot the corpse of an old man!" "Venerable scoundrel! But you would have killed me like a dog, if your pistol had not missed fire!" "It was not loaded, Monsieur Colonel! It was not----anywhere near loaded! But I am an accommodating man, and we can come to terms very easily.