de them, Giorgio?' said Massena.

'Yes, every step of the way--up to the very walls of the fort.'

'There, then,' cried the general, 'one great difficulty is got over
already.*

'Not so fast, _generale mio_,' said the dwarf; 'I said I could, but I
never said that I would.'

'Not for a liberal present, Giorgio; not if I filled that leather pouch
of yours with five-franc pieces, man?'

'I might not live to spend it, and I care little for my next of kin,'
said the dwarf dryly.

'I don't think that we need his services, general,' said I; 'I saw
the place this evening, and however steep it seems from the walls,
the descent is practicable enough--at least I am certain that our
tirailleurs, in the Black Forest, would never have hesitated about it.'

I little knew that when I uttered this speech I had sent a shot into the
very heart of the magazine, the ruling passion of Massena's mind being
an almost insane jealousy of Moreau's military fame--his famous campaign
of Southern Germany, and his wonderful retreat upon the Rhine, being
regarded as achievements of the highest order.

'I've got some of those regiments you speak of in my brigade here, sir,'
said he, addressing himself directly to me, and I must own that their
discipline reflects but little credit on the skill of so great an
officer as General Moreau; and as to light troops, I fancy Colonel de
Vallence yonder would scarcely feel it a flattery were you to tell him
to take a lesson from them.'

'I have just been speaking to Colonel de Vallence, general,' said
Colonel de Barre. 'He confirms everything Monsieur de Tiernay tells us
of the practicable nature of these paths; his fellows have tracked them
at all hours, and neither want guidance nor direction to go.'

'In that case I may as well offer my services,' said Giorgio, tightening
his belt; 'but I must tell you that it is too late to begin to-night--we
must start immediately after nightfall. It will take from forty to fifty
minutes to descend the cliff, a good two hours to climb the ascent, so
that you 'll not have much time to spare before daybreak.'

Giorgio's opinion was backed by several others, and it was finally
resolved upon that the attempt should be made on the following evening.
Meanwhile, the dwarf was committed to the safe custody of a sergeant,
affectedly to look to his proper care and treatment, but really to guard
against any imprudent revelations that he might make respecting the
intended at