Atlantida | Page 5

The officers looked at each other, all of them suddenly quite grave,
even to the merriest of the second lieutenants. In the corner, where I realized that they
had forgotten me, I tried not to make the least sound that might recall my presence.
"'We thank you, Colonel,' one of the majors finally replied, 'for your courtesy in
consulting us. All my comrades, I imagine, know to what terrible rumors you refer. If I
may venture to say so, in Paris at the Army Geographical Service, where I was before
coming here, most of the officers of the highest standing had an opinion on this
unfortunate matter which they avoided stating, but which cast no glory upon Captain de
Saint-Avit.'
"'I was at Bammako, at the time of the Morhange-Saint-Avit mission,' said a Captain.
'The opinion of the officers there, I am sorry to say, differed very little from what the
Major describes. But I must add that they all admitted that they had nothing but
suspicions to go on. And suspicions are certainly not enough considering the atrocity of
the affair.'
"'They are quite enough, gentlemen,' replied the Colonel, 'to account for our hesitation. It
is not a question of passing judgment; but no man can sit at our table as a matter of right.
It is a privilege based on fraternal esteem. The only question is whether it is your decision

to accord it to Saint-Avit.'
"So saying, he looked at the officers, as if he were taking a roll call. One after another
they shook their heads.
"'I see that we agree,' he said. 'But our task is unfortunately not yet over. The City of
Naples will be in port tomorrow morning. The launch which meets the passengers leaves
at eight o'clock. It will be necessary, gentlemen, for one of you to go aboard. Captain de
Saint-Avit might be expecting to come to us. We certainly have no intention of inflicting
upon him the humiliation of refusing him, if he presented himself in expectation of the
customary reception. He must be prevented from coming. It will be wisest to make him
understand that it is best for him to stay aboard.'
"The Colonel looked at the officers again. They could not but agree. But how
uncomfortable each one looked!
"'I cannot hope to find a volunteer among you for this kind of mission, so I am compelled
to appoint some one. Captain Grandjean, Captain de Saint-Avit is also a Captain. It is
fitting that it be an officer of his own rank who carries him our message. Besides, you are
the latest comer here. Therefore it is to you that I entrust this painful interview. I do not
need to suggest that you conduct it as diplomatically as possible.'
"Captain Grandjean bowed, while a sigh of relief escaped from all the others. As long as
the Colonel stayed in the room Grandjean remained apart, without speaking. It was only
after the chief had departed that he let fall the words: "'There are some things that ought
to count a good deal for promotion.'
"The next day at luncheon everyone was impatient for his return.
"'Well?' demanded the Colonel, briefly.
"Captain Grandjean did not reply immediately. He sat down at the table where his
comrades were mixing their drinks, and he, a man notorious for sobriety, drank almost at
a gulp, without waiting for the sugar to melt, a full glass of absinthe.
"'Well, Captain?' repeated the Colonel.
"'Well, Colonel, it's done. You can be at ease. He will not set foot on shore. But, ye gods,
what an ordeal!'
"The officers did not dare speak. Only their looks expressed their anxious curiosity.
"Captain Grandjean poured himself a swallow of water.
"'You see, I had gotten my speech all ready, in the launch. But as I went up the ladder I
knew that I had forgotten it. Saint-Avit was in the smoking-room, with the Captain of the
boat. It seemed to me that I could never find the strength to tell him, when I saw him all
ready to go ashore. He was in full dress uniform, his sabre lay on the bench and he was

wearing spurs. No one wears spurs on shipboard. I presented myself and we exchanged
several remarks, but I must have seemed somewhat strained for from the first moment I
knew that he sensed something. Under some pretext he left the Captain, and led me aft
near the great rudder wheel. There, I dared speak. Colonel, what did I say? How I must
have stammered! He did not look at me. Leaning his elbows on the railing he let his eyes
wander far off, smiling slightly. Then, of a sudden, when I was well tangled up in
explanations, he looked at me coolly and said: