lt that has arisen, and, moreover, the rank of the deceased, without
taking into account the religious considerations, put us under
obligation to proceed ... in conjunction with you, let it be well
understood...."

Leon comprehended little by little. The commissioner finished by
explaining to him, always in the administrative style, that it was
incumbent upon him to have M. Fougas taken to the town cemetery.

"But Monsieur," replied the engineer, "if you have heard people speaking
of Colonel Fougas, they ought to have told you withal that we do not
consider him dead."

"Nonsense!" answered the Commissioner, with a slight smile. "Opinions
are free. But the doctor whose office it is to attend to the
disposition of the dead, and who has had the pleasure of seeing the
deceased, has made us a conclusive report which points to immediate
interment."

"Very well, Monsieur, if Fougas is dead, we are in hopes of
resuscitating him."

"So we have been told already Monsieur, but, for my part, I hesitated to
believe it."

"You will believe it when you have seen it; and I hope, Monsieur, that
that will be before long."

"But then, Monsieur, have you fixed everything in due form?"

"With whom?"

"I do not know, Monsieur, but I suppose that before undertaking such a
thing as this, you have fortified yourself with some legal
authorization."

"From whom?"

"But at all events, Monsieur, you admit that the reanimation of a man is
an extraordinary affair. As for myself, this is really the first time
that I ever heard it spoken of. Now the duty of a well regulated police,
is to prevent anything extraordinary happening in the country."

"Let us see, Monsieur. If I were to say to you: 'Here is a man who is
not dead; I have a well-founded hope of setting him on his feet in three
days; your doctor, who maintains the contrary, deceives himself,' would
you take the responsibility of having Fougas buried?"

"Certainly not! God forbid that I should take any responsibility of any
kind on my shoulders! But however, Monsieur, in having M. Fougas buried,
I would act in accordance with law and order. Now after all, by what
right do you presume to resuscitate a man? In what country is
resuscitation customary? Where is the precept of law which authorizes
you to resuscitate people?"

"Do you know any law that prohibits it? Now everything that is not
prohibited is permitted."

"In the eyes of the magistrates, very likely. But the police o