eat anxiety.

"Who--who was that?" asked Marteau, who had received a dreadful shock
apparently.

"The governor of the town."

"Yes, yes, I know, but his name?"

"I was about to tell you. The Marquis de---- Upon my word, I have
forgot it."

"Was it by any chance the Marquis d'Aumenier?"

"That's it," said the soldier.

"And the man with him in the red coat?"

The soldier spat into the dust to show his contempt.

"An English milord."

"And the lady?"

"I don't know. They say, the wife of that Englishman. Things have
come to a pretty pass," growled the soldier, turning away, "when our
girls marry these English beef-eaters, and---- It was not so in the
day of the Em----"

He stopped suddenly, wondering fearfully whether his garrulousness had
betrayed him into an imprudence with this stranger.

"No," said Marteau reassuringly. "Will you let me pass, comrade? I am
an old soldier of--the Empire." He had no hesitation in avowing
himself under the circumstances. "See," he threw open his cloak,
disclosing his uniform.

"Why, that is the uniform of this regiment!" exclaimed the amazed
soldier.

"Yes."

"And you are----"

"I was Captain Marteau when with the regiment," returned the officer.

"I thought I knew you, sir. Yes, I remember it all now. You were cut
down at the bridge at Arcis."

"Yes."

"I, too, was there. I was one of the few who managed to get away
alive. But I did not run, monsieur. I did not go back until the
order."

"I believe it."

"And this boy?"

"He is a young comrade, a faithful companion of my own."

"And you are come back----"

"To rejoin the regiment. I have been months in an Austrian prison, and
afterward, ill."

"Pass freely, monsieur. You rallied us with the Eagle. We saw it go
into the river. The Emperor himself commended us, those who were left.
He said we should have another Eagle, but alas, we never got it."

"Have patience," said Marteau. "What is lost may be found."

He touched the small, well-wrapped parcel, which even in his agitation
he had not allowed to fall to the ground. The soldier looked at him
wonderingly.

"You mean----"

"Never mind. Be silent. Will you call your officer?"

"Corporal of the guard," shouted the sentry, and, when that official
appeared, the lieutenant in command of the gate was soon summoned
through the usual military channels.

"Monsieur," said Marteau, walking up to him, "do you not know me?"

"By he