Like a thief?
You have no right, sir--!

SEDLINZKY.

But we'll take it.

THE DUKE.

Heavens!

FLAMBEAU.

'Twas getting past a joke that I should never
Be present when they wanted to behead me.

SEDLINZKY.

Also his decoration is illegal.
Take off that ribbon!

FLAMBEAU.

Take it. But it grows
As often as I choose on my old hide.

[_Unseen by the others he stabs himself._]

SEDLINZKY.

Take off his cloak!

[_When the cloak is removed, the spot of blood
shows like the ribbon of the Legion of Honor
on_ FLAMBEAU'S _shirt._]

What's that?

FLAMBEAU.

Looks rather well!

SEDLINZKY.

Come! Make an end!

FLAMBEAU.

[_To the_ DUKE.]

My Lord, this leaves me not
Till death!

SEDLINZKY.

What! He has pinned another on!

FLAMBEAU.

You cannot make an end! I've pinned another;
And when that's gone, another, and another!

THE DUKE.

What will they do?

FLAMBEAU.

What did they do to Ney?

THE DUKE.

Impossible--!

FLAMBEAU.

A little firing-party--
Rrrrrr!

THE DUKE.

Ah!

FLAMBEAU.

I always laughed at bullets;
But French ones? Never! None of that, Lisette!

THE DUKE.

You will not give him up?

SEDLINZKY.

Without delay!

FLAMBEAU.

Seraph, your wings are clipped; good-night, my friend!

SEDLINZKY.

March!

THE DUKE.

Look! He staggers! Flambeau!--Look!

POLICEMAN.

He's falling!

FLAMBEAU.

[_On his knees; knocking off the policeman's hat_.]

The Duke is speaking! Take that stovepipe off!

THE DUKE.

Flambeau, you've killed yourself!

FLAMBEAU.

No! I've pinned on
An everlasting ribbon of the Legion!

THE DUKE.

I'll not allow one of your men to touch him:
What! the clean soldier touched by soiled policemen!
Leave us alone together. Go!--Begone!

FLAMBEAU.

My Lord--!

SEDLINZKY.

[_To a policeman, pointing to the old man of the hut._]

Lead off that peasant.

[_The old man is led off._]

THE DUKE.

I'll await
My regiment. 'Tis summoned here at dawn.
The standards shall salute him, and the drums,
An