es and I will return to you
here.'

"'How many men are you going to take?'

"'Five. The others will relieve them at five o'clock in the evening.'

"'Very well. Leave me four to look after provisions, to do the cooking,
and to set the table. I will go and find out where the wine is hidden
away.'

"I went off to reconnoiter the deserted streets, until they ended in
the open country, so as to post my sentries there.

"Half an hour later I was back, and found Marchas lounging in a great
armchair, the covering of which he had taken off, from love of luxury
as he said. He was warming his feet at the fire and smoking an
excellent cigar, whose perfume filled the room. He was alone, his
elbows resting on the arms of the chair, his cheeks flushed, his eyes
bright, and looking delighted.

"I heard the noise of plates and dishes in the next room, and Marchas
said to me, smiling in a beatific manner: 'This is famous; I found the
champagne under the flight of steps outside, the brandy--fifty bottles
of the very finest--in the kitchen garden under a pear-tree, which did
not look to me to be quite straight, when I looked at it by the light
of my lantern. As for solids, we have two fowls, a goose, a duck, and
three pigeons. They are being cooked at this moment. It is a delightful
part of the country.'

"I had sat down opposite to him, and the fire in the grate was burning
my nose and cheeks.

"'Where did you find this wood?' I asked.

"'Splendid wood,' he replied. 'The owner's carriage. It is the paint
which is causing all this flame, an essence of alcohol and varnish. A
capital house!'

"I laughed, for I found the creature was funny, and he went on: 'Fancy
this being the Epiphany! I have had a bean put into the goose, but
there is no queen; it is really very annoying!' And I repeated like an
echo: 'It is annoying, but what do you want me to do in the matter?'

"'To find some, of course.'

"'Some women. Women?--you must be mad!'

"'I managed to find the brandy under the pear-tree, and the champagne
under the steps; and yet there was nothing to guide me, while as for
you, a petticoat is a sure sign. Go and look, old fellow.'

"He looked so grave, so convinced, that I could not tell whether he was
joking or not. So I replied: 'Look here, Marchas, are you having a joke
with me?'

"'I never joke on duty.'

"'But where the devil do you expect me to find any women?'

"'Where you like; there must be two or three remainin