Adopting Terror Page #4

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You fought at the Marne?

I'm a walking injustice.

You're next, Slimane.

He may turn out okay after all.

Slimane's story is simple.

I heard him at length.

At the station in Videle'

his chief, Captain De Jussieu

- whom he reveres -

used the stopover to have him

post some letters.

He accomplished his task'

but on the way back'

he met some tribesmen, cousins'

who talked about home'

which he longs for.

Time, for these desert dwellers'

is not like time for us.

Did 10 minutes go by

- as he thought - or 20, 30?

So he returned to the station

serenely.

The train ready to go.

He jumped blithely aboard.

But it wasn't the same train!

They were changed...

without delay, for once!

Suddenly, he's headed for Trgu Jiu'

in the Carpathians'

125 miles from his regiment and

chief, not speaking the language.

One more! The Arab'll get off.

The Lieutenant...

had 'em all in stitches.

So, you nasty piece of work...

you gave it to 'em good.

What a jerk, that cook!

Biking in the snow!

He's not home free.

Want your fortune told?

For the young man...

It's in Romanian!

This way, you can imagine

what you want.

And your men? The cholera...

It was just an ordinary case

of the shits.

The thing was to get out

of that rat trap.

What happened?

Some stupid Irish lug...

It was on a narrow sidewalk.

He expected me to step aside...

How'd you know he was Irish?

We had a drink afterwards.

- I'm too broke to buy you dinner.

- I'm tied up, anyway.

A girl from back home, Frhel.

She sings.

You might run away with her!

He has a cabbie's voice. Noticed?

Noticed what?

The cabmen. They're all castrated.

It's a Russian sect.

After the 2nd child, snip!

Nice idea!

Paris cabbies would love it.

Ladies...

and Gentlemen...

Civilians and soldiers...

Couples legal...

and illegal...

Before we bring on

the dance act... Oh so artistic!

Of Miss Fraulein Frida...

whom you'll see in just a moment...

I'd like you to welcome...

a great artist

of the French music hall...

I refer to

Mademoiselle Frhel...

of the Eldorado!

Oh, yes!

Is this your doing?

I can't here, gentlemen...

To hear me sing

where I'm paid to'

rendezvous in the Rose Room

in a half-hour!

Quick! Two men!

The woman's hurt!

Well, I didn't come for nothing!

Neither did they.

Take the suitcases.

We'll see to everything, Madam.

Thank you.

The soldiers will take our bags.

Yes, Madam.

I need a carriage.

Where can I find a carriage?

I forget where

I stayed before the war.

We'll see to the vehicle, Madam.

There's a trunk among the luggage.

And my son's suitcase.

Go help them. Take the hat boxes

and Jean's suitcase.

Thank you, Captain.

At your service.

Lt. Neubout, suite 34.

So I need a replacement

before I leave'

and I thought of you.

Me? To replace you?

I saw you in court. You're bright'

you can think on your feet.

Hold on! I was court-appointed.

I got caught up in it.

Anyway, defense doesn't reguire

any serious legal training'

just some compassion

for my comrades-in-arms.

What you say only convinces me

you'd make

an "accuser" - as we're called -

who's fair'

preferring the spirit to the letter.

The very word terrifies me!

"Accuser"...I can't!

You dismay me.

Now the other fellow will win out.

So? You have another candidate.

Yes. A vicious brute.

A veterinarian.

I'm not joking.

Relishes the idea

of inflicting punishment.

I'm sorry. I can't.

Conan... You know him?

He's a friend. Why?

Nasty business... A Romanian

officer in the hospital.

A bit impulsive'

but an amazing fellow.

His file is amazing, too.

Reported 10 times...

Brawling, drunkenness...

Burned the parguetry

of the French Lyce library...

You see him doing that?

No. But he's taking the rap.

He could even get Life for this.

- Can I think it over?

- No time.

But still, technically...

Elementary. You can pick up

procedure within hours.

The basics are all here.

Military code 1857.

I made comments

and notes.

But this is terrifying!

Loubrac! Just the man...!

Sir...

I have a cousin from Paris...

Mme Erlane.

She's looking for her missing son.

Imagine'

if they all start doing that!

Find her a room.

Get her off my back!

She's napping... A chatterbox!

I'll see to it, sir.

I want you to meet my successor...

General! Where are you, Felix?

I took a nap. We can go now.

I have the man for you.

Just a moment, dear cousin.

Fine.

See a family resemblance?

She says there is...

just to draw me in.

And she calls me Felix!

You have a replacement'

so take her round the hospitals.

I doubt you'll find the kid.

He must be lying low

with the broads.

Then, stick her on a train and shool

Very well, sir.

So is Lt. Norbert...?

Yes. He'll do!

I had a thought, Felix...

Hear that?

Quick! Before she starts!

Lieutenant'

you'll have your hands full.

So, you're the horse

and surgery fellow?

I'd like to heal animals, too.

No, sir. I'm not the veterinarian.

I'm the literature graduate.

Fine, literature's nice, too.

Here's your assignment.

Red tape...

You can fill it in later.

Ah, yes!

A nightmare.

The Crystal Palace raid!

Find them and hupl -

the firing sguad!

Two women at death's door.

Sure, the dancer's a Boche'

but still...!

So you're at it again!

You like this bullshit?

"When bad soldiers are the regular

court martial defendants..."

"Bad soldiers!"

What's the author of this crap know?

Say, now:
A general!

It takes at least 2 stars

to whip this up! And you take notes!

I'm learning procedure'

to prevent the worst.

Prevent the worst?

You'll be in the dark!

Your "fairness" will send dozens

of boys to the wall.

Don't be a cop! Shut your books

and let's go get drunk.

Piotr Romescu... Ring a bell?

A Romanian officer.

He came home suddenly

to find his wife "well in hand."

French hands threw him

down the stairs.

Oh, that guy!

Yes, that guy!

Double concussion, broken leg...

Were you there?

He came at me, bellowing!

I have his complaint.

And 10 others...

The bastard who nearly got this job

would've had your hide.

Mind your business.

I can stand up for myself.

The Crystal Palace... Your 2 boys...

Dammit, we're friends!

We're not gonna start fighting.

So lay off my boys.

And the Romanian...

What happened?

Tomorrow.

I've had it for tonight.

I followed the broad.

She was delighted.

And then he showed up!

Dammit, Conan, it was his wife!

If they're so touchy'

why ask for our help?

I'm here, she's here. I help myself.

So long!

You've declared that on

the evening of the 16th'

the evening of the crime

for which you've been arraigned:

"After a stroll, I got back

to guarters for roll call.

"I did some reading

and then turned in."

- Right?

- Yes, sir.

"Judge Advocate."

Answer:
"Yes, Judge Advocate."

How is it that you were seen

an hour later at the Crystal Palace?

Crystal Palace? Me?

Among the armed attackers.

Me, recognized?

By your height.

In my batallion alone, there are

a dozen my size - even bigger.

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