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"If it were true that he has been beaten, news would have come."

"Probably," said Prince Andrew moving toward the outer door.

But at that instant a tall Austrian general in a greatcoat, with

the order of Maria Theresa on his neck and a black bandage round

his head, who had evidently just arrived, entered quickly,

slamming the door. Prince Andrew stopped short.

"Commander in Chief Kutuzov?" said the newly arrived general

speaking quickly with a harsh German accent, looking to both

sides and advancing straight toward the inner door.

"The commander in chief is engaged," said Kozlovski, going

hurriedly up to the unknown general and blocking his way to the

door. "Whom shall I announce?"

The unknown general looked disdainfully down at Kozlovski, who

was rather short, as if surprised that anyone should not know

him.

"The commander in chief is engaged," repeated Kozlovski calmly.