erted that _I_
was,' was my calm reply, for I was anxious to prolong the conversation,
seeing that directly over our heads, on a balcony, a number of officers
had just come out to smoke their cigars after dinner, amongst whom I
recognised two or three in the uniform of generals.

'And now for your name; let us have that,' said he, seating himself, as
if for a lengthy cross-examination.

I stole a quick glance overhead, and seeing that two of the officers
were eagerly listening to our colloquy, said aloud--

'I'll tell you no more, sir. You have already heard quite enough to
know what my business is. I didn't come here to relate my life and
adventures.'

'I say, Lestocque,' cried a large, burly man, from above, 'have you
picked up Robinson Crusoe, there?'

'He's far more like the man Friday, _mon general_,' said the young
lieutenant, laughing, 'although even a savage might have more deference
for his superiors.'

'What does he want, then?' asked the other.

'An audience of yourself, _mon general_--nothing less.'

'Have you told him how I am accustomed to reward people who occupy my
time on false pretences, Lestocque?' said the general, with a grin.
'Does he know that the "Salle de Police" first, and the "Prevot"
afterwards, comprise my gratitude?'

'He presumes to say, sir, that he knows General Massena,' said the
lieutenant.

'_Diable!_ He knows me, does he say--he knows me? Who is he--what is
he?' said a voice I well remembered; and at the same instant the brown,
dark visage of General Massena peered over the balcony.

'He's a countryman of yours, Massena,' said Vandamme, laughing. 'Eh, are
you not a Piemontais?'

Up to this moment I had stood silently listening to the dialogue around
me, without the slightest apparent sign of noticing it. Now, however,
as I was directly addressed, I drew myself up to a soldierlike attitude,
and replied--

'No, sir. I am more a Frenchman than General Vandamme, at least.'

'Send that fellow here; send him up, Lestocque, and have a corporal's
party ready for duty,' cried the general, as he threw the end of his
cigar into the street, and walked hastily away.

It was not the first time in my life that my tongue had brought peril on
my head; but I ascended the stairs with a firm step, and if not with a
light, at least with a resolute, heart, seeing how wonderfully little
I had to lose, and that few men had a smaller stake in existence than
myself.

The voices were loud