ficult to believe that he was blind; he seemed to
know everything that was going on.

That day they began at the village of Flexelles. They stayed some time
in the building and when they came out William was not to be seen. The
horse was tied to a tree and William, the coachman, had disappeared. As
soon as his employer had gone into his factories, William of course, as
usual, had hurried to the nearest wine shop ... meeting a boon companion
there he had forgotten the hour.

M. Vulfran sent one of his men off to search for his recalcitrant
coachman. After waiting several minutes, the blind man became very
angry. Finally William, with head held high, came staggering along.

"I can tell by the sound of his footsteps that he is drunk, Benoist,"
said M. Vulfran, addressing his manager, who stood beside him. "I am
right, am I not?"

"Yes, sir ... nothing can be hidden from you. He is drunk...."

William began to apologize.

"I've just come from...." he began, but his employer cut him short.

"That is enough," said M. Vulfran, sternly. "I can tell by your breath
and the way you walk that you are drunk."

"I was just going to say, sir," began William again, as he untied the
horse, but at that moment he dropped the whip and stooping down, he
tried three times to grasp it. The manager looked grave.

"I think it would be better if I drove you to Maraucourt," he said. "I
am afraid you would not be safe with William."

"Why so?" demanded William insolently.

"Silence," commanded M. Vulfran, in a tone that admitted of no reply.
"From this moment you can consider yourself dismissed from my service."

"But, sir, I was going to say...."

With an uplifted motion of his hand M. Vulfran stopped him and turned to
his manager.

"Thank you, Benoist," he said, "but I think this little girl can drive
me home. Coco is as quiet as a lamb, and she can well replace this
drunken creature."

He was assisted into the carriage, and Perrine took her place beside
him. She was very grave, for she felt the responsibility of her position.

"Not too quickly," said M. Vulfran, when she touched Coco with the end
of her whip.

"Oh, please, sir, I don't want to go quickly, I assure you," she said,
nervously.

"That's a good thing; let her just trot."

There was a great surprise in the streets of Maraucourt when the
villagers saw the head of the firm seated beside a little girl wearing a
hat of black straw and a black dress, who was gravel