d to pass on production of the order, with the necessary
stamp.

"Everything is going on well, thus far," Ralph said, as they turned
off from the main road, at Viroflay. "It looks like snow, too,
which would exactly suit us."

Viroflay was crowded with Prussian troops. An officer stopped them,
as they passed.

"Where are you going to?"

"We are going to Bellevue," Ralph said. "We are purchasers of any
curiosities or souvenirs of the war--such as pictures, or
clocks--and we also undertake to deliver, in Germany, any article
which may be entrusted to our charge. We have our passes and
papers, in regular order."

"Wait a minute," the officer said. "Draw up at that villa there."

The wagon drew up to the villa, the officer walking in front. He
motioned to Ralph to dismount, and to follow him into the house;
leaving Percy in charge of the wagon Five or six officers were
sitting in what had been the drawing room of the villa.

"Who have you got here?" one of them asked, as Ralph's conductor
entered.

"A worthy Hebrew," the other laughed, "who will either purchase, or
carry home, articles saved."

There was a general movement of interest. The furniture of the room
was a wreck, the papers were hanging in strips, a broken chair was
blazing upon the fire; several family portraits on the wall were
pierced with holes, having evidently served the purpose of targets,
for pistol shooting.

Ralph's conductor left the room for a moment, and returned with a
very handsome drawing room clock; worth, Ralph knew, at least
fifteen hundred francs.

"How much will you give for that?"

Ralph examined it critically.

"Four hundred francs," he said.

"Nonsense! It cost five times that."

"About four times," Ralph said, "when it was new. It is not new,
now, and it has to be taken to Germany. If you prefer it, I will
carry it to Frankfort; and send it on thence by rail, at ten
percent upon its value."

"Yes, I will agree to that," the officer said. "How much will that
be?"

"I am content to take it at your own valuation," Ralph said. "The
value you set upon the clock was two thousand francs."

There was a laugh among the other officers.

"He has you there, major."

"Not at all," the officer said. "He shall take it at the valuation
he placed upon it--four hundred francs."

"Pardon me," Ralph said, "I did not value it at that sum, I only
offered to give that sum for it; besides which, that was an
estimate of the value I