ion to laugh, so horrible to behold was this riven skull.
The first idea suggested by the sight of this old wound was, "His
intelligence must have escaped through that cut."

"If this is not Colonel Chabert, he is some thorough-going trooper!"
thought Boucard.

"Monsieur," said Derville, "to whom have I the honor of speaking?"

"To Colonel Chabert."

"Which?"

"He who was killed at Eylau," replied the old man.

On hearing this strange speech, the lawyer and his clerk glanced at each
other, as much as to say, "He is mad."

"Monsieur," the Colonel went on, "I wish to confide to you the secret of
my position."

A thing worthy of note is the natural intrepidity of lawyers. Whether
from the habit of receiving a great many persons, or from the deep sense
of the protection conferred on them by the law, or from confidence in
their missions, they enter everywhere, fearing nothing, like priests and
physicians. Derville signed to Boucard, who vanished.

"During the day, sir," said the attorney, "I am not so miserly of my
time, but at night every minute is precious. So be brief and concise. Go
to the facts without digression. I will ask for any explanations I may
consider necessary. Speak."

Having bid his strange client to be seated, the young man sat down at
the table; but while he gave his attention to the deceased Colonel, he
turned over the bundles of papers.

"You know, perhaps," said the dead man, "that I commanded a cavalry
regiment at Eylau. I was of important service to the success of Murat's
famous charge which decided the victory. Unhappily for me, my death is
a historical fact, recorded in _Victoires et Conquetes_, where it is
related in full detail. We cut through the three Russian lines, which at
once closed up and formed again, so that we had to repeat the movement
back again. At the moment when we were nearing the Emperor, after
having scattered the Russians, I came against a squadron of the enemy's
cavalry. I rushed at the obstinate brutes. Two Russian officers, perfect
giants, attacked me both at once. One of them gave me a cut across the
head that crashed through everything, even a black silk cap I wore next
my head, and cut deep into the skull. I fell from my horse. Murat came
up to support me. He rode over my body, he and all his men, fifteen
hundred of them--there might have been more! My death was announced
to the Emperor, who as a precaution--for he was fond of me, was the
master--wished to kn