Have you got the money ?" But Pierre did not reply.

He had just perceived his son Pascal leaning over the bed.

And thereupon he questioned him eagerly.

The doctor, surprised by his uneasiness, which he attributed to paternal affection, told him that the soldiers had taken him and would have shot him, had it not been for the intervention of some honest fellow whom he did not know.

Saved by his profession of surgeon, he had returned to Plassans with the troops.