Vuillet's conduct seemed to him suspicious.

But he had no time to seek an explanation; he had scarcely stretched himself out afresh in his arm-chair, when Roudier entered, with a big sabre, which he had attached to his belt, clattering noisily against his legs.

The sleepers awoke in a fright.

Granoux thought it was a call to arms.
"Eh?
what! What's the matter ?" he asked, as he hastily put his black silk cap into his pocket.
"Gentlemen," said Roudier, breathlessly, without thinking of taking any oratorical precautions, "I believe that a band of insurgents is approaching the town." These words were received with the silence of terror.

Rougon alone had the strength to ask, "Have you seen them ?" "No," the retired hosier replied; "but we hear strange noises out in the country; one of my men assured me that he had seen fires along the slope of the Garrigues." Then, as all the gentlemen stared at each other white and speechless, "I'll return to my post," he continued.