At last he looked at the lieutenant.

'You may leave us,' he said shortly.

'Now,' he continued, when the officer had withdrawn and left us alone, 'what is it?
Say what you have to say quickly.

And, above all, do not try to fool me, M.de Berault.' But his piercing eyes so disconcerted me now that I had my chance, and was alone with him, that I could not find a word to say, and stood before him mute.

I think this pleased him, for his face relaxed.
'Well ?' he said at last.