ForgettinghisintentionofconcealinghisknowledgeofFrench, Pierre, snatchingawaythepistolandthrowingitdown, ranuptotheofficerandaddressedhiminFrench.
"Youarenotwounded?" heasked.
"Ithinknot," answeredtheFrenchman, feelinghimselfover."ButIhavehadaluckyescapethistime," headded, pointingtothedamagedplasterofthewall."Whoisthatman?" saidhe, lookingsternlyatPierre.
"Oh, Iamreallyindespairatwhathasoccurred," saidPierrerapidly, quiteforgettingtheparthehadintendedtoplay."Heisanunfortunatemadmanwhodidnotknowwhathewasdoing."
TheofficerwentuptoMakarAlexeevichandtookhimbythecollar.
MakarAlexeevichwasstandingwithpartedlips, swaying, asifabouttofallasleep, asheleanedagainstthewall.
"Brigand! Youshallpayforthis," saidtheFrenchman, lettinggoofhim."WeFrencharemercifulaftervictory, butwedonotpardontraitors," headded, withalookofgloomydignityandafineenergeticgesture.
Pierrecontinued, inFrench, , .
"," saidhe.
, andtosavehislife—, captainofthe13thLightRegiment—wasundoubtedlyaverygreatdeed.
Buthoweverindubitablethatconclusionandtheofficer'sconvictionbaseduponit, Pierrefeltitnecessarytodisillusionhim.
"IamRussian," hesaidquickly.
"Tut, tut, tut! Tellthattoothers," saidtheofficer, wavinghisfingerbeforehisnoseandsmiling.", andwhatarewetodowiththisman?" headded, addressinghimselftoPierreastoabrother.
EvenifPierrewerenotaFrenchman, havingoncereceivedthatloftiestofhumanappellationshecouldnotrenounceit, saidtheofficer', andbeggedtheofficertoletthedeedgounpunished.
