Combeferre blinks back his own tears. He puts a hand on Joly's shoulder, and says, "Yes, he will. We can tell him, when we get back."

He imagines telling all their friends everything they've learned. He suddenly wants desperately to go back to the Corinthe and demand more. But no, Matelote would think he'd lost his head, and regardless, perhaps it would be better not to ask for too many details. It's enough to know that they succeeded, lived, were happy, and that France was free.