d to buy.

"Come out with me," said this man.

"You have learned something?"

"Come out with me, I tell you. Do you think I am fool enough to talk
under these walls?"

As they stepped out on the square they saw Fanfar, but Fanfar did not
notice these two shadows. He entered the inn and Caillette threw herself
into his arms, sobbing with joy.

"I am glad to see you," muttered Schwann, half ashamed of his own
emotion.

In the silence that followed, the voice of La Roulante was heard singing
while drowning her sorrows in a bottle of brandy.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE GRATITUDE OF A MARQUIS.

After the departure of the two strangers, who, it will be understood,
now renounced their trip for Remisemont, Gudel remained very pensive. He
said to himself that after all he had no right to imperil the future of
Fanfar and to have made that promise for him. He began to feel very
uneasy at the long absence of the young man. There was a knock at the
door.

"Come in," called Iron Jaws.

His surprise was great when he beheld a stranger walk in.

"I am," said this stranger, "the Marquis de Fongereues, and I wish to
talk with you."

"I am entirely at your service," answered Iron Jaws, bringing forward a
chair.

"You are probably astonished, Monsieur Gudel," said the Marquis, "at my
coming here at this time. I know of your accident, and I trust you will
excuse my indiscretion when you hear my reasons."

Iron Jaws bowed.

"I was, a half hour since, in great danger, and one of your people saved
my life. You will hear about that later on, I can not now delay to tell
you."

"But who was this person?"

"His name was Fanfar."

"I might have known it!" shouted Gudel, "he is always doing such things.
But where is he? Is he hurt?"

"Not in the least. He assisted me upon his horse, and the animal was
uncontrollable; he, however, brought me here in safety, but my preserver
was obliged to walk back."

"He does not mind that, let me tell you. He will be here in ten
minutes."

"And the more reason why I should make haste in what I have to say. My
name tells you the position I hold at court--"

"I know very little of such matters."

"Then I will tell you that my name is well known, and that my credit is
great. I am ready to serve your--son--"

"My son! Alas, sir, I wish Fanfar were my son, but, unfortunately, he is
no relation of mine."

"But this young man has parents? I can serve them, undoubtedly."

"Fanfar has