"In addition, my dear fellow, if there's the least thing you want, I insist that you should give me this opportunity of doing it for you."
Paul nodded his head and smiled. All this cordial kindness and attentiveness were putting him at his ease.
"Very well, sir, I accept. And what I ask is this: first of all, a fortnight's sick leave, counting from Saturday, the ninth of January, the day on which I shall be leaving the hospital."
"I know, sir. But I must have the right to spend my leave where I please."
"And more than that: I must have in my pocket a permit written in your own hand, sir, which will give me every latitude to move about as I wish in the French lines and to call for any assistance that can be of use to me."
The general looked at Paul for a moment, and said:
"That's a serious request you're making, Delroze."
"Yes, sir, I know it is. But the thing I want to undertake is serious too."
"Yes, sir, Sergeant Bernard d'Andeville, my brother-in-law, took part as I did in the action at the ferryman's house. He was wounded like myself and brought to the same hospital, from which he will probably be discharged at the same time. I should like him to have the same leave and to receive permission to accompany me."
"Bernard's father, Comte Stéphane d'Andeville, second lieutenant interpreter attached to the British army, was also wounded on that day by my side. I have learnt that his wound, though serious, is not likely to prove fatal and that he has been moved to an English hospital, I don't know which. I would ask you to send for him as soon as he is well and to keep him on your staff until I come to you and report on the task which I have taken in hand."
"Very nearly, sir. It only remains for me to thank you for your kindness by asking you to give me a list of twenty French prisoners, now in Germany, in whom you take a special interest. Those twenty prisoners will be free in a fortnight from now at most."
For all his coolness, the general seemed a little taken aback. He echoed:
"Free in a fortnight from now! Twenty prisoners!"
"Whatever the prisoners' rank? Whatever their social position?"
"And by regular means, means that can be avowed?"
"By means to which there can be no possible objection."